Aoki Residence

The Izanami shrine is one of the eleven shrines in the Mima region that were listed in the Engi-shiki. The Engi-shiki was completed in 927, during the Heian period (794-1185), and contained a summary of all the shrines throughout the country. There were seven shrines in the entire list that were named after Izanagi, but this shrine was the only one named after Izanami. It is thought that in many of the Izanagi shrines, Izanami was also worshipped, but the fact that the Izanami shrine is explicitly named after the goddess might have some special significance to it.

This temple was constructed during the Nara period (710-794), and is home to the oldest dry landscape garden in Shikoku, which is believed to be constructed during the Nanbokuchō period (1336-1392). It has been constructed with ishigumi, the same stone arranging technique used in Kyoto's Tenryū-ji.

The Honraku-ji was founded in 828 by the monk Sō-Keiun of the Buddhist Shingon sect as a place of meditation, and was initially known as the Rengesan Honraku Temple. In 1131, the restored temple was reopened by the monk Sō-Yūjun. Because of the temple's strategic position, where Mt. Takamaru and the Yoshino River meet, it was used as a fort during the Sengoku period (1467-1568). In the late Tenshō period (1573-1592) the temple, along with several precious objects, was burned to the ground by the Chōsokabe Clan. In 1863 the temple was again destroyed by fire. The next year the temple was rebuilt to its present state, under supervision of the monk Sō-Yūkei.

Straight from the Edo and Meiji Eras, Udatsu Townscape is a symbol of Wakimachi’s old days. Characteristic of the buildings are the presence of “Udatsu,” extensions of the roof that served as protection from the spread of fires. Udatsu were also symbols of fortune, and continue to proclaim the prosperity of the merchants even today. The charm of the old town continues to excite nostalgia, as the broadcast industry often features it in television dramas and commercials. The national government recognizes Udatsu Street as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings.

The residence of the Yoshida family. This family traded in indigo, a product for which the region was famous. It was constructed in 1792 by Sagawaya Naoei, who changed his name to Yoshida Naoei. Next to the Yoshida residence is the aigura, a building which was used by the Yoshida family to store indigo. Nowadays the first floor is a gift shop, and the second floor is a cafe.

Built in 1934, Wakimachi Theater was a playhouse for Kabuki, Rōkyoku (storytelling accompanied with Shamisen music), and other such entertainment. In the post-World War II era, it became a movie theater, and was then closed in 1995. It was scheduled for demolition, but after Shōchiku Films decided to use it as a location in their famous film, The Man Who Catches Rainbows, it was brought back into the limelight. The theater is now also known as the Odeon-za (Odeon theater), which was its name in the movie. The theater underwent restoration in 1999.