Uchiko, Ehime

Infobox City Japan
Name = Uchiko
JapaneseName = 内子町
Map

---

Region = Shikoku
Prefecture = Ehime
District = Kita
Area_km2 = 299.50
Population = 20,299
PopDate = June, 2006
Density_km2 = 67.78
Coords = coord|33|32|N|132|39|E|region:JP_type:city
Flower =
Tree =
Bird =
Symbol

SymbolDescription =
Mayor =
CityHallPostalCode = 795-0392
CityHallAddress = 168 Kō, Hiraoka, Uchiko-chō, Kita-gun, Ehime-ken
CityHallPhone = (0893) 44-2111
CityHallLink = [http://www.town.uchiko.ehime.jp/ Town of Uchiko] |nihongo|Uchiko|内子町|Uchiko-chō is a town located in Kita District, Ehime, Japan.

On January 1, 2005 the towns of Ikazaki and Oda merged with Uchiko. As of January, 2005 (after this merge), the town has an estimated population of 20,782 and a density of 69.4 persons per km². The total area is 299.50 km².

Overview

The traditional town of Uchiko is surrounded by much natural beauty and is located about 42 kilometers southwest of Matsuyama in the Ehime prefecture. Three streams run through the area: the Oda, the Nakayama and the Fumoto. Uchiko has few flat areas and about 70% of the land is forest. The soil is fertile and the main industry is agriculture, particularly leaf tobacco, shiitake mushrooms, and fruits such as persimmons, grapes and nashi pears. The riversides are used mainly by farms and farmland can extend to the hills and the steep mountainsides. As of April 2005, the population in Uchiko was approximately 20,650.All year round, the stunning views and the very green, fertile mountains and valleys give the people of Uchiko both the feeling of restfulness and economic sustenance.

From the end of the Edo Period (1603-1867) to the end of the Meiji Period (1868-1912), Uchiko developed and thrived as a manufacturing center of Japanese paper and Japanese wax. At that time the Yokaichi and Gokoku districts became industrialised and their historical houses still retain some vestige of Uchiko’s former glory. In the Yokaichi and Gokoku districts is a street of merchant houses, which have solemn white or cream coloured plaster walls, lattices, decorative walls and old-style Japanese desks. This traditional street is about 600 meters long and around 90 of these historical houses are still lived in.The campaign to preserve this old town area has been on going since 1975 and the national government designated this area as an “Important Traditional Construction Preservation Area” in 1982.

The Nobel laureate Kenzaburo Oe was born in Uchiko.

Uchiko-za Theatre

Uchiko-za Theatre was built as a traditional Kabuki theatre in 1916 and was famous for its Kabuki and Bunraku (traditional puppet show) performances. In the course of time, it became used for film shows, variety shows and lectures, amongst other things. In 1985, the theatre was restored to its original appearance. Today, Uchiko-za Theatre presents plays, concerts and other events, including the very popular Bunraku performances. Uchiko-za Theatre is unique and traditional because of its open Taiko-drum tower, the boxed seating area, the broad ramp leading to the stage along one side of the audience and the wooden, revolving stage. Uchiko-za Theatre is considered a showpiece of Japanese culture and architecture.

The Kamihaga Residence and Japanese Wax Museum

The Kamihaga Residence was built in 1894 by a family who were a branch of the Honhaga household (the main household in Uchiko). The Kamihaga family was one of the most influential families in Uchiko. They established the production of wax in Uchiko and thus, the family became very wealthy and powerful. Now, this elegant and traditional property, with its spacious garden, is used a museum that has exhibitions on commerce, the lifestyle of the merchants and the production of wax. These grounds are designated as an important cultural property and have been since 1990.

Annual Events

*Late April: The Raft Festival at the River Oda, Oda.
*May 5th: The Kite Flying Festival in Ikazaki.
*Late May–Early June: Rice planting in Ikazaki.
*August 6th–8th: The Bamboo Festival in Uchiko.
*August 15th: The Fire Festival in Oda.
*October: The Autumn Festival, The Japanese Lion Dance.
*November: "Momiji" – Autumn leaf viewing.
*December: Solfa Ski Resort opens in Oda.

External links

* [http://utia.jp/ Uchiko Town International Association]
* [http://www.town.uchiko.ehime.jp/ Uchiko official website] in Japanese