Begin your journey in Yamato-Yagi, a historic crossroads in Japan. Learn about its significance as a hub connecting the mountainous regions of southern Nara with Kyoto, Osaka, and Ise. Discover how this area has been bustling with travelers for over 400 years, as major routes intersected here.

Continue to Imai-chō (Imai Town), one of Japan’s best-preserved traditional merchant towns. Step through its gates and be transported into another time. Stroll along streets lined with beautifully maintained wooden buildings from the late medieval to early modern periods. These are not replicas—they are authentic homes and shops, featuring clever architectural elements and furnishings that reflect the ingenuity and pride of merchant culture.

What makes Imai-chō truly special is that it remains a living town. Unlike some preserved districts that feel like open-air museums, Imai is still inhabited by locals who continue to care for its legacy. You may see laundry drying on centuries-old balconies or catch the scent of cooking wafting from a wooden lattice window.

With a professional guide by your side, gain rich insight into Japan’s merchant history and local life without missing a thing.