Yoshino River and Mima Udatsu Townscape Course

Beside the great Yoshino River, this route walks the townscape of Wakimachi in Mima, built by the indigo merchants. Take your time with the charm of merchant houses handed down from the Edo era on this town walk that history lovers will enjoy. Along the street lined with white walls and lattices, the bustle of the indigo era still quietly lives on.

Course Route

10:00 Start at the udatsu townscape Walk the street lined with white walls and lattices and admire the row of merchant houses raising their fire wall gables called udatsu. The fine udatsu jutting out at the boundary with the neighbor was a symbol of a merchant house wealth and standing.

10:30 Tour the Yoshida Residence Enter the mansion of a great house that prospered in the indigo trade and sense the scale of life and business back then. With its main house, storehouses, and inner garden remaining, it is known as one of the largest merchant houses in Wakimachi.

11:30 Encounter indigo dyeing Get close to the Awa indigo culture passed down in the town and learn the depth of the dyeing craft. The beauty of cloth dyed a deep indigo, known as Japan Blue, is famous around the world.

12:30 Lunch at a townhouse cafe Savor dishes of local ingredients at leisure in a shop set in an old townhouse. In a charming space that keeps its earthen floor and beams, you can relax and lose track of time.

14:00 To the theater beneath the udatsu Visit the playhouse known as the Odeon and enjoy the flavor of the Taisho era. A full playhouse with a revolving stage and a hanamichi walkway remaining, the building has also featured in a film.

15:00 Stroll the Yoshino River waterfront Step out to the bank of the gently flowing Yoshino River and close with the scenery of Shikoku greatest river. A peaceful view unfolds of the mountains on the far bank and the wide surface of the water.

Highlights

The udatsu townscape is an important preservation district, with 85 buildings from the mid Edo to early Showa periods remaining. The row of merchant houses raising udatsu on both sides is rare even nationwide, carrying the look of those days along some 430 meters. The townscape lit at dusk has its own charm too.

Access and Tips

The townscape suits a slow tour on foot. Paved streets continue, so comfortable shoes are recommended. There is parking and a tourist information center near the entrance to the townscape, and starting from there makes touring easier.

A Quick Tip

Cafes and shops set in old townhouses dot the area, so it is fun to wander freely with rest stops along the way. Hunting for handmade items such as indigo dyed handkerchiefs to remember the trip is another pleasure.

Practical Travel Notes

• The udatsu townscape (Wakimachi Minamimachi) is an important preservation district, with 85 buildings from the mid Edo to early Showa periods remaining along some 430 meters of street. Strolling the street is free, but touring some buildings such as the Yoshida Residence may carry a fee.
• Indigo dyeing experiences are held at workshops in the town. Time and cost vary by facility, so advance reservation or a check is recommended.
• The Odeon (Wakimachi Theater) is a playhouse built in the Taisho era, and touring the interior may carry a fee. It may be closed to viewing on performance or rental days, so check in advance.
• By car, use the nearby parking. By public transport, use a bus or taxi from JR Anabuki Station, but services are limited, so a car is convenient.
• Fees and hours can change, so please check each facility official information before you go.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Yoshida Family Residence (Ai-sho Sanao): Open 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30). Admission is 510 yen for adults and 250 yen for children, and free for children under 6 accompanied by a guardian. Groups of 15 or more receive a discount (410 yen for adults, 200 yen for children). Closed on Wednesdays (when Wednesday is a public holiday, the next day that is not a holiday) and from December 27 to January 1
• Wakimachi Theater (Odeon-za): Open 9:00-17:00. Admission is 200 yen for adults and 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students (group discount for 15 or more). Closed every Tuesday and from December 27 to January 1
• Parking: The car park at the adjacent roadside station Ai Land Udatsu (39 spaces for ordinary cars, 5 for large vehicles and 1 for disabled visitors) makes a convenient starting point, about a 1-minute walk from the Yoshida Family Residence. Parking for tour buses is immediately east of the roadside station
• Inquiries: 0883-53-0960 (Yoshida Family Residence) / 0883-52-3807 (Wakimachi Theater Odeon-za) / 0883-53-8599 (roadside station Ai Land Udatsu)
• Official information: Mima City tourism website / the ordinance establishing the Yoshida Family Residence (Mima City statute book) / roadside station guide for "Ai Land Udatsu" by the Shikoku Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

* The above is a guide based on information published by each facility and local government. Hours and fees may change, so please check official information before you set out.