# Uchiko

> A preserved town that prospered from vegetable-wax production, home to the restored Uchiko-za kabuki theater and a district of Edo- and Meiji-era merchant houses.

- Prefecture: Ehime
- Type: Historic site
- Address: Uchiko, Ehime, Japan
- Official site: https://www.we-love-uchiko.jp/

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.

## FAQ

### How do I get to the Uchiko historic district from Uchiko Station?

The Yokaichi-Gokoku preservation district is about a 15-minute walk from Uchiko Station on the JR Yosan Line.

### What is the Uchiko-za?

It is a wooden playhouse built in 1916 that was restored to its original form and still stages kabuki and other performances.

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Source: Uchiko — Japan Voyage