[2025 Kashihara Attraction] Travel Guide for Imaicho (Updated May)

Imaicho. Not far from Osaka there is a place that, as they say, has not changed since the Edo period - the same houses as in those days, the same streets, the administration monitors and renovates the houses. We decided to combine a trip to the city of Nara with a visit to Imaicho and did not regret it at all. You can do it yourself or find a guide on the Trip.com service. We went on our own: There is a direct train from Nara station to Unebi station, there is a tourist information center where you can get brochures and a map of the places. I recommend visiting these places: 📌Tsuneoka Soy Sauce Brewery 📌Kawai sake brewery 📌Takagi Residence 📌Hanairaka Information Center Entrance to the territory is free. We walked alone, there was no one else there, we spent the best half of the day here that day)#imaicho #osakatrip #naratrip #japan

There has been a significant change in the way people from our country travel. Many who visit Japan no longer focus solely on shopping. There are also many who have been to Japan before and have moved beyond the typical photo-taking tourism, evolving into a more immersive travel experience. I often receive private messages from netizens who are eager to visit lesser-known, off-the-beaten-path places. I would like to share a spot in Nara Prefecture that is seldom visited by foreign tourists and is perfect for those who enjoy leisurely walks and photography: Imai-cho in Nara. Imai-cho began to take shape in 1503 during Japan's Warring States period. It was once an enemy of Oda Nobunaga as part of the Hongan-ji sect. However, persuaded by Akechi Mitsuhide, they surrendered to Oda Nobunaga, which changed their fate from being annihilated. Later, during the Edo period, the area prospered even more through trade with Osaka and Sakai. Today, Imai-cho has been designated as a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in Japan and is also recognized as a Japanese heritage site. Over 500 buildings are protected, and five have been designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. Walking through Imai-cho is like traveling back to the Edo period. Due to the larger area and fewer tourists, strolling and street photography in Imai-cho offer a much better experience than in Kyoto. I recommend my friends to also take a turn around here. 📍Address: Imai-cho, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture 🚃Transport: Get off at Yagi-nishiguchi Station on the Kintetsu Railway, and it's a 5-minute walk. After crossing the red Sobu Bridge, you will arrive.

Upon arriving in Imai-cho, Kashihara City, Japan, it felt as if I had traveled through time to a street brimming with ancient charm. Imai-cho is a place rich in history and cultural heritage, where every street seems to hold memories spanning hundreds of years. As I stepped into Imai-cho, I was captivated by its unique architectural style and the ancient streetscape. The streets were lined with well-preserved traditional buildings, exuding a strong Japanese ambiance. Strolling along the streets, I kept finding surprises hidden in the corners. What particularly impressed me were the ancient shrines and temples of Imai-cho. I paused in these serene places, feeling the sacred atmosphere they emitted, and took some photos to preserve these unforgettable memories. During this journey, I deeply felt the historical and cultural charm of Imai-cho. I will forever treasure this precious memory and look forward to visiting this place filled with ancient allure once again.