Imaicho in Kashihara City is an extraordinarily significant historical district, widely regarded as the best-preserved example of an Edo-period trading town and a unique type of fortified settlement in Japan. It is also a place for LUKES cultural experiences.

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Historical Significance 

Imaicho remains a unique, lived-in museum, showcasing both the complex layout of a self-governing military town and the architectural grandeur earned through its historic mercantile prosperity. Originating as a fortified Jinaichō (Temple Town) centered around Shōnenji Temple, it quickly shed its defensive isolation to become a powerful commercial hub, symbolized by the proverb, "Seven-tenths of the money in Yamato is in Imaicho." This vast wealth allowed its merchants to build impressive residences, such as the castle-like, 370-year-old Imanishi Residence, one of nearly 500 preserved traditional structures that define its historic street grid.

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Living History and Iconic Landmarks 

Building upon its status as a preserved historic district, the enduring life of Imaicho is defined by the traditions actively maintained by its residents. This cultural continuity is most evident in the careful architectural succession, where families continue to reside in and painstakingly conserve the Edo-period machiya, ensuring the town remains a vibrant community rather than a static museum piece. Economically, the spirit of the old merchant town endures through generational craft businesses, notably the historic practices of sake brewing and soy sauce production, which preserve the unique regional flavors. Most powerfully, the community spirit is expressed through the Autumn Festival, where residents unite to pull the traditional Danjiri floats through the narrow streets, an energetic display of devotion and communal identity that brings the town's nearly 200-year-old history to boisterous, annual life.

The most famous and architecturally significant place within Imaicho is the Imanishi Family Residence . It is considered the foremost symbol of the town's history, wealth, and unique political status during the Edo period. The quintessential historical site in Imaicho is the Imanishi Family Residence, which stands as a powerful testament to the town’s extraordinary affluence and political autonomy. Constructed in 1650 and designated a National Important Cultural Property, this oldest surviving civilian residence is architecturally dominant, known for its massive, complex castle-like roofline—a deliberate display of status earned by a family that effectively governed the town as its chief administrators during the Edo period. Beyond its sheer scale and subtle defensive features, the residence offers an invaluable window into 17th-century life, allowing visitors to see the interior structure, including the great cooking hearth, and fully grasp the prosperity that led to the famous saying, "Seven-tenths of the money in Yamato is in Imaicho."

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Imaicho's Onigawara: Guardians of Wealth and Roofs

Harkening back to Imaicho's spiritual anxieties and immense wealth, the town's rooftops are adorned with a fascinating variety of Onigawara (ogre tiles) that serve both functional and profound apotropaic roles. These highly detailed end-tiles, required for the prestigious tiled roofs of wealthy merchants, function primarily as powerful architectural guardians, with their fearsome ogre faces meant to ward off evil spirits and misfortune. However, the designs extend beyond the classic oni: many incorporate symbols of water to prevent fire, or display the family's distinctive crests (Kamon), like the stylized 'tree' motif found on the former lumber businesses, subtly broadcasting the family's trade and status to the town below. Thus, the Onigawara of Imaicho transforms the very structure of the home into a testament to both spiritual protection and mercantile prestige.

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​Experience the Town of Tradition

How about enjoying a stroll through the traditional town of Imaicho? where the discovery of the various Onigawara becomes a highlight of your trip to Japan. Be sure to also immerse yourself in the Japanese cultural experience offered by LUKES, as this 'Town of Tradition' guarantees a truly wonderful experience and an unforgettable new layer of discovery for your itinerary.