- Culture
- Nara
Imanishi Residence
A historic castle-style family residence displaying a long history and tradition
The Imanishi Residence in Kashihara City belonged to a family who served as the head of sodoshiyori (officers who worked under the town magistrate) of Imai Town during the Edo Period (1603-1868) and were delegated autonomy to rule the area especially in terms of public security and politics. The residence itself is an outstanding feature of Imai Town, which has managed to preserve its townscape since the Edo Period. The structure of the residence is in the yatsumune-zukuri style (eight-ridge construction), and its lofty image is designed to give it a castle-like appearance. It is a designated National Important Cultural Property.
Imai Town: Cleverly preserved townscape from the Edo Period
Imai Town, one of the largest designated Traditional Architectures Preservation Districts, still retains much of its beautiful townscape from the Edo Period and is often used as a location for television and movie productions. The district is home to a number of historic townhouses, as well as eight Important Cultural Properties. This traditional town, which may feel like traveling back to the Edo Period, has been developed through the renovation of buildings into stylish cafes, restaurants and sake breweries and transformed into an area that strikes the perfect blend of tradition and modernism.
Imai Machinami Exchange Center Hanairaka
Once the Education Museum, this impressive-looking building constructed during the Meiji Period (1868-1912) is a designated cultural property of Nara Prefecture. It was considered to be the height of modernity in its time, and is now a tourist information center with displays and videos that explain the history and the townscape of Imai Town from various angles. The scale model of the town is a particularly interesting feature of this center and provides a valuable tip for strolling the town.
Location
| Name | Imanishi Residence |
|---|---|
| Website | https://www.imanishike.or.jp/english-guide-outline-of-imanishi-family/ |
| Address | 3-9-25 Imai-cho, Kashihara-shi, Nara |
| Access | Approximately 5 minutes' walk from Kintetsu Yagi-nishiguchi Station |
| Business Hours | 10:00 to 17:00 (Last admission at 16:00) |
| Closed | Every Monday (if it is a public holiday, then the following day) and August 16 to 22 |
| Inquiries | TEL: 0744-25-3388 (Toichi Agatanushi Imanishike Preservation Society) |
| Admission | Adult: 500 yen; Junior high school student or younger: 250 yen (Reservation required) |
