Imaicho Town

Imaicho Town (今井町, Imaichō) is a beautifully preserved historic district where you can stroll through a maze of traditional alleys that capture the charm of a bygone era. Unlike most preserved areas in Japan, which often feature just a few buildings, Imaicho offers an entire small town to explore. It started as a temple town centered around Shonenji Temple, which still stands today. Over time, it evolved into a thriving merchant hub with close trade ties to Osaka and Sakai.

During the 16th century, the town negotiated with warlord Oda Nobunaga and was granted autonomy despite initial conflict. The wealthy merchants tiled their roofs and even lent money to samurai. Though it declined after the feudal era, many of its historic homes remain open, like the grand Imanishi Residence from 1650 and the Yonetani Residence. Visitors can also stop by the Hanairaka Information Center to see old photos and a model of the town.