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Nara: Step Into Edo-Era Streets in Imai’s Heritage Town

By DeepExperience
Free cancellation available
Price is €158 per adult* *Get lower prices by selecting more than 2 adults
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Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 2h 30m
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Multiple languages

Overview

Discover a side of Japan few travellers ever see with this guided tour of Imai Town—one of the country’s best-preserved historic merchant districts. Unlike touristy replicas, Imai is a living, breathing town with centuries-old wooden homes, moated streets, and deep cultural roots.

Your expert guide will lead you through beautifully preserved residences, temples, and hidden gems, sharing stories of merchant life, Edo-period architecture, and local traditions. It’s a rare chance to step into the past while experiencing authentic daily life in a town where history and community still thrive.

With full English guidance and access to places off the beaten track, this experience offers a meaningful connection to Japan’s rich heritage—perfect for curious and culturally minded travellers.

Activity location

  • Imai Townscape Exchange Center Hanairaka
    • 5 3
    • 634-0812, Kashihara, Nara, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Yaginishiguchi Station
    • 32 8
    • 634-0078, Kashihara, Nara, Japan

Check availability

Nara: Step Into Edo-Era Streets in Imai’s Heritage Town
  • Activity duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes2h 30m
    2h 30m
  • English
Price details
€158.05 x 1 Adult€158.05
Total
Price is €158.05
Until Wed, 1 Apr

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Professional guide
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Guided walking tour of Imai-chō
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Insight into Japan’s merchant history and local life
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Meals

Know before you book

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transport options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.

Activity itinerary

Imai Townscape Exchange Center Hanairaka

  • 25m
Begin your exploration of Imai Town at Hanairaka, the Imai Machinami Exchange Centre. Housed in a beautifully restored Meiji-era building, Hanairaka serves as both a welcome centre and mini-museum. Here, you can learn about the town’s history through maps, models, and exhibitions—making it the perfect starting point before stepping into the historic streets. Friendly staff are available to provide helpful guidance for your visit.

Kawaike Residence

  • 25m
Step inside one of Imai’s most elegant merchant homes. The Kawai Residence showcases the architectural beauty and clever design used by wealthy families during the Edo period. From the intricate wooden joinery to the tatami rooms and merchant shopfront, every detail reveals how daily life and business intertwined.

Nakabashi Family House

  • 25m
  • Admission ticket included
The Nakahashi Residence is a living example of a classic machiya (traditional townhouse) built with both function and refinement. Its spacious layout, hidden storage areas, and historical furnishings offer an intimate glimpse into the lifestyle of a successful merchant family. Don’t miss the inner garden, a peaceful retreat within the house.

Shonenji Temple

  • 20m
At the heart of Imai Town lies Shonen-ji Temple, a sacred site that protected the community in more ways than one. This 16th-century temple is not only a spiritual centre, but also a symbol of the town’s independence and unity. Explore its serene grounds and admire the fusion of religious tradition and local resilience.

Imanishike Residence

  • 20m
The Imanishi Residence is one of the oldest and most prestigious homes in Imai Town. Once the home of influential town leaders, it features high-quality woodwork, formal reception rooms, and historical documents that bring the governance of the town to life. It’s a must-see for those interested in the leadership and legacy of the merchant class.

Former Kometani Residence

  • 25m
Simple yet charming, the Former Yonetani Residence offers a more humble perspective on merchant life. Its preserved structure and modest interiors reflect the broader social fabric of Imai Town—where merchants of all levels lived and worked together. It’s a quiet, authentic window into everyday life during Japan’s early modern period.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Imai Townscape Exchange Center Hanairaka
    • 5 3
    • 634-0812, Kashihara, Nara, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Yaginishiguchi Station
    • 32 8
    • 634-0078, Kashihara, Nara, Japan

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