Uchiko

Uchiko is a town in central Ehime that grew wealthy in the late Edo and Meiji periods from the production of vegetable wax made from sumac berries. The Yokaichi-Gokoku district preserves about 600 meters of streets lined with traditional merchant houses and the mansions of wealthy wax dealers, and it was designated a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 1982. The Kamihaga Residence houses a wax museum explaining the trade. The Uchiko-za, a wooden playhouse built in 1916, was restored to its original form and still hosts kabuki and other performances; it was designated an Important Cultural Property. Visitors can walk the historic streets, tour the theater, and stop at cafes and craft shops. The district is about a 15-minute walk from Uchiko Station on the JR Yosan Line.