NARA - In the heart of Nara Prefecture lies Imai, a town that has miraculously preserved its Edo-era landscape and traditions to this day. Established in the mid-Muromachi period as a temple-based settlement, Imai developed under the same Buddhist sect as Ishiyama Honganji.
When Oda Nobunaga’s forces attacked, the town negotiated peace and was granted the rare privilege of self-governance, as confirmed by a letter written personally by Nobunaga. That letter, now preserved at Shonenji Temple, remains a tangible record of Imai’s unique history. Over the centuries, Imai flourished alongside Sakai as a major commercial hub, earning the nickname “Sakai of the Sea, Imai of the Land.” Although urbanization during the Meiji era threatened to alter the town’s character, the residents made the courageous decision to protect their heritage, ensuring that the traditional townscape remains intact. Unlike many other historical districts, Imai has never been turned into a tourist attraction but has remained a living community where residents continue to preserve their way of life.
Rows of wooden houses line the narrow streets, evoking the atmosphere of Japan’s early modern period. Of approximately 760 buildings in the district, about 500 are designated as traditional structures, making it the highest concentration of Edo-era buildings in the country. The town is registered as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings and is recognized as a Japan Heritage site. Defensive moats still trace the edges of the settlement, revealing its origins as a fortified religious community designed to withstand the conflicts of the Warring States period.
In 1570, Nobunaga launched an assault on the Ishiyama Honganji, and five years later, his forces attacked Imai as well. After half a year of fierce resistance, the townspeople surrendered under the condition of dismantling their fortifications, and Nobunaga subsequently granted them the right of self-rule. The agreement laid the foundation for Imai’s growth as a self-governing commercial city. The surviving letter bearing Nobunaga’s red seal, inscribed with the phrase “Tenka Fubu” meaning “rule the realm through military might,” symbolizes both power and diplomacy. Its message conveys recognition of Imai’s dedication and an invitation to maintain peace and continue trade under mutual respect.
Within the town, numerous merchant residences and sake breweries have stood for centuries, many still active today. Eight structures, including the Kometani Residence—once home to a prosperous hardware and fertilizer merchant—are designated Important Cultural Properties. Inside, the wide earthen floor, open hearth, and high-beamed ceilings reflect the design of rural merchant homes of the era. Another notable building, the Ikei Residence, operates as a sake brewery that has been in business for over 300 years. Visitors can sample three varieties of locally brewed sake, each served with a complimentary cup or wooden masu as a keepsake.
During its peak, Imai handled much of the commerce of Yamato Province, trading essential goods such as oil, fertilizer, and textiles. To support this thriving economy, local financial houses emerged, lending money nationwide and establishing Imai’s influence across Japan. The Imanishi Residence, built in 1650 and considered the oldest surviving townhouse in the district, stands as a symbol of that prosperity. Constructed in the rare “hachiken-zukuri” style typically used for shrine pavilions, the house served as both residence and administrative center. Inside, a raised floor area was used for legal hearings, while an adjoining room functioned as a holding cell equipped with smoke vents for interrogation—a reminder of the town’s self-governing authority during the Edo period.
When modernization and railway expansion swept through Japan during the Meiji era, Imai faced a pivotal decision. Authorities proposed building a train station, offering noble titles in return. The townspeople declined, choosing instead to protect their traditions and daily lives. That decision spared Imai from the rapid commercialization that transformed other towns and preserved its identity as a living Edo-era settlement. To this day, Imai remains a quiet community where residents continue to live among the same lattice windows, clay walls, and narrow streets that have endured for more than four centuries.
Through the centuries, Imai has withstood war, modernization, and economic change, standing as a rare example of a town that preserved its spirit while the rest of Japan transformed around it. It continues to embody the resilience of the people who chose heritage over progress, leaving behind one of the most remarkable living remnants of the Edo era.
Source: YOMIURI
