Shikoku Information

Area：

  • Tokushima

Category：

  • Sightseeing Spots
  • History and Culture

Udatsu town scape (Wakimachi Plaster Awning Town)

Udatsu town scape (Wakimachi Plaster Awning Town)

A historic townscape of white walls and udatsu firewalls, reflecting the prosperity of indigo merchants.

The Udatsu Townscape is a historic district in Wakimachi, Mima, which prospered as a trading center for Awa indigo from the Edo through Meiji periods. Along the approximately 430-meter Minamimachi Street, plastered udatsu firewalls and traditional tiled merchant houses preserve the prosperity of local merchants and historic fire-prevention ingenuity. Stroll among the historic buildings, try indigo dyeing, and visit shops housed in traditional townhouses.

Three highlights of the Udatsu Townscape

  1. 1. Compare the designs of the udatsu firewallsEach house has differently shaped and decorated udatsu. Comparing them reveals the townscape’s rich character, together with its white walls, lattice doors, and traditional tiled roofs.
  2. 2. Discover the history of indigo merchantsWakimachi prospered as a center for Awa indigo, and wealthy merchants built impressive townhouses. Their architecture reflects the prosperity and resourcefulness of life at the time.
  3. 3. Experience traditional Awa indigo craftsmanshipJoin an indigo-dyeing experience as part of your walk to connect more closely with Tokushima’s traditional culture. Take your hand-dyed creation home as a memorable souvenir.

Official information and directions

Check the Mima City tourism websiteGet directions on Google Maps

Quick access guide

By car
About 10 minutes by car from Wakimachi IC on the Tokushima Expressway. Avoid driving into the historic district and use a nearby parking lot.
By public transportation
About 10 minutes by taxi from JR Anabuki Station on the Tokushima Line.

Nearby attractions

  • ・Wakimachi Theater OdeonzaA playhouse built in the early Showa period, within easy walking distance of the Udatsu Townscape. It offers a glimpse of modern cultural history distinct from the merchant quarter.
  • ・Roadside Station Ailand UdatsuA convenient base for exploring the townscape, offering visitor information, a place to rest, and local specialties.
  • ・Aizumi Town History Museum Ai no YakataA museum housed in the former residence of an indigo merchant who prospered through Awa indigo. Visiting it with the Udatsu Townscape deepens your understanding of Tokushima’s indigo culture.

* Check official information for current opening status and hours before visiting.

Details

Area Tokushima
Address Wakimachi, Mima 779-3610 Tokushima
TEL +81-88-352-5610
FAX +81-88-352-1200
E-mail kankou@mima.i-tokushima.jp

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Basic Information

Open hours Differs by shop
Closed regularly New Year holiday
Admission fee Free
Parking lot Cars : Yes ｜ Buses : Yes
Free Wi-Fi Yes
Toilet Yes
Recommended season Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter

A special experience found only here.

Mima’s Wakimachi has long flourished as a trading center for indigo, and now the town is affectionately known as the ‘udatsu town’. The road extends 430 meters east-west, and is an important historical reminder of the propserous Edo period and early Showa period.

Indigo Dyeing Experience (Advance Reservation Required)

Try traditional indigo dyeing and create a one-of-a-kind patterned souvenir of your journey.

Price From JPY 1,100
Opening hours 10:00 - 16:00
Closed Tuesday
Language Japanese
Reservation https://nishi-awa.jp/reserve/2063/

Photo Gallery

Access Information

Train
JR Anabuki Station
Approx. 67 minutes on JR Tokushima Line to JR Anabuki Station.
Approx. 10 minutes from JR Anabuki Station.
Car
Wakimachi IC
Approx. 10 minutes from Wakimachi IC by car.
Air
Takamatsu Airport
Approx. 45 minutes from Takamatsu Airport on National Route 193.

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