Uchiko Preserved Town
A beautifully preserved Edo-period merchant town that grew wealthy from wax production. The main street retains its original buildings and a stunning 19th-century kabuki theater still in use.
2–4 hours
Town free; some buildings ¥200–¥500
Town always accessible; Uchiko-za theatre: 9:00–16:30; Urban Life Archive Museum: 9:00–16:30
Year-round
15 min walk from Uchiko station (JR Yosan Line, 40 min from Matsuyama)
Location
Why Visit
- 1
Uchiko-za kabuki theater (1916) still hosts performances — check schedule before visiting
- 2
The wax candle museum in a former storehouse shows the craft that built the town's fortune
- 3
Walk at dusk when slanted light catches the white plaster walls
Local Tips
Uchiko's Yokaichi and Gokoku preservation districts are among Shikoku's finest historic streetscapes — the wax merchant houses from the 19th century are remarkably intact. The Uchiko-za Kabuki theatre (1916) is still in active use. The Kamihaga Residence (wax museum) gives excellent context for Uchiko's historic wood wax (mokuro) industry. Combine with Ozu Castle and Uwajima for a full Ehime interior day.
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