Imaichō in Kashihara began as a fortified Jōdo Shinshū temple town and became a rich merchant town. About 500 of its buildings are designated traditional structures, with eight or nine Important Cultural Property houses including the castle-like Imanishi residence.
Why it's unique
It has the most designated traditional buildings of any Important Preservation District in Japan, which makes it the largest preserved Edo townscape in the country. The exact count is "about 500" in the sources, which describe it as the largest in scale.
Other towns keep a street; this one kept a whole town, which is why period dramas shoot here.
Before you go
Start at the free Hanairaka centre (a 1903 education museum building) for the model of the town. Period dramas shoot here; weekdays are quiet. Individual houses have their own opening days.
