Uchiko – traditional houses and handicrafts

Uchiko is a small town located southwest of Matsuyama, renowned for its iconicDogo onsen. It is located at the bottom of a river valley surrounded by rice fields. Looking at this quiet and bucolic scene today, it is difficult to imagine that the place was once an economic center. Fortunately, much of this cultural heritage has been preserved intact and visitors can walk through the streets of wonderfully elegant houses and commercial buildings in a preserved rural setting.

Old town Yokaichi

This preserved area is composed of about 90 buildings that follow along a street. Two of these buildings are open to the public as museums, the largest and most impressive of which is the Kamihaga residence. A combined ticket for the Kamihaga residence, the Uchiko-za kabuki theatre and the Uchiko History Museum is available for 900 yen.

Kamihaga Residence and Wax Museum of Uchiko

One of the largest and most beautiful buildings is the Kamihaga residence and the wax museum, the old house and workshop of the Kamihaga family. This family was enriched at the Meiji time by wax production, and it displayed its wealth. After developing a unique white wax and exposing it to the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1900, Kamihagas exported it to Europe and America.

The Kamihaga Residence is located on one of the famous machinami – the old historic streets of Uchiko. There are many things to see along these fascinating streets, including the Omori candle shop, one of the very few candle makers still uses original materials and methods and the Museum of Commercial and Domestic Life which gives an interesting overview of the life of the rich merchants.

Machiya Museum

“Machiya” is an old merchant house style. The museum building was built in 1793 and is Machiya-style. Old pools and agricultural equipment are also exposed.

Honhaga and Omura Residence

In addition to the neighbourhood, the Kamihaga residence and the Machiya Museum, in the old one you can also see the Honhaga residence. Honhaga Residence is a preserved property, which can only be seen from outside.

The neighbouring residence is that of the Omura family. Dating from 1793, it is one of the oldest buildings of Uchiko, dating from the late Edo period. Like the Honhaga residence, the Omura residence is not open to the public and can only be admired from outside. It is also designated as a national cultural property.

Uchiko-za, the theatre of Uchiko

For their entertainment and leisure, the inhabitants of Uchiko were built in 1916 (to celebrate the arrival of Emperor Taisho at the economic climax of Uchiko) Uchiko-za, while the performing arts flourished.

During the low agricultural season, kabuki, puppet theatre and rakugo (the comics story) were presented here It is a two-storey wooden building with a clay tile roof. In the middle of the last century, Uchiko-za was converted into a cinema and then became obsolete. It was to be demolished, but was restored in 1985 by the inhabitants. More than 70,000 people visit the theatre each year and it is used by more than 16,000 people per year as a multi-purpose theatre.

Inside the theatre you can see the behind the scenes ( naraku) , the wooden scene and machinery that is always in working order

Bunraku puppet shows take place every August. It should be noted that if it is a day of performance, the visit to the theatre will not be possible.

Open every day except during the annual closing from December 29 to January 2.

Visit ticket costs 500Yens

Museum of History of Uchiko (Uchikocho Rekishi Minzoku Shiryōkan)

Also known as the Museum of Commercial and Domestic Life, it is located along the main street, outside the old town district of Yokaichi. The museum is compact, but pleasant, with life-size automatons arranged to show how the inhabitants of the city lived in the 19th and 20th centuries. On the second floor, beautiful tatami rooms with sliding doors and painted screens show what the more elegant town houses of the families of local merchants looked like. Unfortunately, the museum does not offer explanations in English.

Getting to Uchiko

Just 40 kilometres southwest of Matsuyama, Uchiko is easily accessible by train via the JR Yosan line.

Uchiko is a nice little town, to enjoy all the visits two days are necessary. The area with the main points of interest is very accessible on foot, for those most rushed by time, a big day getting up at dawn can allow to make visits.

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