Uchiko's name became synonymous with high quality white wax production in the late 19th century. At that time, wealthy local merchants built new homes or added to their own, resulting in beautiful streets lined with large, stylish houses dating back to the Meiji Period (1868-1912). The Yokaichi district has since been restored to preserve these buildings.
Yokaichi (”ª“úŽs, Yōkaichi) is comprised of about 90 buildings along a single street. Two of these buildings are open to the public as museums, the largest and most impressive of which is the Kamihaga Residence.
The Kamihaga Residence is one of Uchiko's most interesting buildings and open to the public, offering a glimpse of how the town prospered by its wax industry. It contains an informative wax museum.
Machiya Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 16:30 Admission: Free
The Machiya Museum (Machiya Shiryokan) is a small building at the southern end of the old town that is open to the public. It shows how a typical merchant's residence looked like during the feudal ages.
Honhaga Residence
No Admission
The Honhaga family was Uchiko's first and primary wax producer. They made Uchiko Wax an international name by visiting the 1900 World Expo in Paris. The Honhaga Residence is a preserved property, which can only be viewed from the outside.
Omura Residence
No Admission
The Omura Residence neighbors the Honhaga Residence and is one of Uchiko's oldest buildings, dating back to the end of the Edo Period. Like the Honhaga Residence, the Omura Residence is not open to the public and can be admired only from the outside.
Koshoji Temple
Hours: 8:30 to 17:00 Admission: Free
Koshoji Temple houses a large and impressive statue of a reclining Buddha. The temple grounds are pleasant as well, located at the top of town up a slight elevation and offering a nice view of the streets below.
Getting there and around
Uchiko's Old Town is located about one kilometer or a 15 minute walk from JR Uchiko Station. The preserved section of the town is about 600 meters long and consists of about 90 historical houses.
