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Ehime Private Tour - Houses with thick cream-colored plastered wall continue along the street of the Yokaichi & Gokoku Historic District Preservation Zone prospered as a manufacturing center of Japanese wax.

Houses with thick cream-colored plastered wall continue along the street of the Yokaichi & Gokoku Historic District Preservation Zone prospered as a manufacturing center of Japanese wax.

JR Matsuyama Station. This is the place where you are expected to meet me.

You start the tour in Uchiko from this sattion.

Ehime Private Tour - Kosho-ji Temple, which was established in the mid 15th century. It belongs to the Soto Sect of Buddhism. Bedside the temple gate a big cherry tree is planted and when you come in spring beautiful cherry blossoms will enchant you.

Kosho-ji Temple, which was established in the mid 15th century. It belongs to the Soto Sect of Buddhism. Bedside the temple gate a big cherry tree is planted and when you come in spring beautiful cherry blossoms will enchant you.

The lying Buddha. it is 10 meters long and 200 tons in weight. One of the biggest stone-made lying Buddha statues in Japan.

Take-kobo, a bamboo studio. There are a lots of hand-made bamboo producs displayed and on sale.

People are making bamboo products one by one manually.

Ehime Private Tour - Look at the wall with a roof protruding from the second floor, which are called Udatsu. They were originally a kind of wall preventing a fire from spreading further to the neighboring houses. But they turned into a decoration and what showed the richness of the house owner. Only a wealthy perosn is allowed to buid such a wall.

Look at the wall with a roof protruding from the second floor, which are called Udatsu. They were originally a kind of wall preventing a fire from spreading further to the neighboring houses. But they turned into a decoration and what showed the richness of the house owner. Only a wealthy perosn is allowed to buid such a wall.

This is a decorative roof tile. For some reason, it is on a place you could touch.

Ehime Private Tour - This is a Inari-jinja shrine. It is a local tutelary Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of harvest and industry. The shrines of this category could be found at many places across Japan. The feature is that the torii is painted red and there are a pair of fox statues. Foxes are believed to be messengers of the deity. So people love them.

This is a Inari-jinja shrine. It is a local tutelary Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of harvest and industry. The shrines of this category could be found at many places across Japan. The feature is that the torii is painted red and there are a pair of fox statues. Foxes are believed to be messengers of the deity. So people love them.

Ehime Private Tour - Kamihaga Residence. This was once the home of a wealthy merchant , the Kamihaga family, who made a fortune in the production of Japanese vegetable wax. It is designated as a national important cultural asset.

Kamihaga Residence. This was once the home of a wealthy merchant , the Kamihaga family, who made a fortune in the production of Japanese vegetable wax. It is designated as a national important cultural asset.

Ehime Private Tour - Inside the residence. What is seen in the center is the so-called central pillar, which reaches from the earthen ground floor to the second floor. It is made of high quality pine wood, providing a central structure of support for the residence.

Inside the residence. What is seen in the center is the so-called central pillar, which reaches from the earthen ground floor to the second floor. It is made of high quality pine wood, providing a central structure of support for the residence.

A kitchen with wide space. Not only the family members but also many workers resided here.

Ehime Private Tour - Scape from the inside of the premises. The decoration made with white lines in the lower part of the wall is called Namako-kabe
, or sea cucumber wall if transalted literally.

Scape from the inside of the premises. The decoration made with white lines in the lower part of the wall is called Namako-kabe , or sea cucumber wall if transalted literally.

Ehime Private Tour - The Japanese Wax Museum is located in the residence. The family of Kamihaga developed a unique wax bleaching method and succeeded in the production of high quality white wax. The golden ages of Japanese wax production were from the Meiji period (1868-1912) to the Taisho period (1912-1926).

The Japanese Wax Museum is located in the residence. The family of Kamihaga developed a unique wax bleaching method and succeeded in the production of high quality white wax. The golden ages of Japanese wax production were from the Meiji period (1868-1912) to the Taisho period (1912-1926).

Ehime Private Tour - Inside the museum. Displays show us the different stages of wax making. Here in the stage of bleaching crude wax made from berries of sumac trees under the sunlight.

Inside the museum. Displays show us the different stages of wax making. Here in the stage of bleaching crude wax made from berries of sumac trees under the sunlight.

Ehime Private Tour - This display shows us people's collecting berries from sumac trees. The berries are crushed into a fine powder, which is steamed and then wax is extracted. The crude wax is bleached under the sunlight to be the white wax, which was valued high in the global market.

This display shows us people's collecting berries from sumac trees. The berries are crushed into a fine powder, which is steamed and then wax is extracted. The crude wax is bleached under the sunlight to be the white wax, which was valued high in the global market.

This is an example of the white wax, which was exported to foreign countries.

Ehime Private Tour - The white wax was used to make a variety of products, such as cosmetics. Wax usage was not limited to candles or hair oil made from crude wax.

The white wax was used to make a variety of products, such as cosmetics. Wax usage was not limited to candles or hair oil made from crude wax.

In the precincts there is a tool used in those days for extracting wax from steamed sumac tree berries.

This is a well from which a lot of water was taken for the production process.

Crude wax is being bleached under the sunlight, which could be found at a corner of the precincts.

Ehime Private Tour - Pay attention to the decorative tile on the top of the roof. It serves a decoration as well as showing the owner's belief that it would protect the house from the fire disaster. A round shape thing below the tile is called Kegyo, which makes the end of the horizontal beam not seen from the outside. It is also a kind of decoration.

Pay attention to the decorative tile on the top of the roof. It serves a decoration as well as showing the owner's belief that it would protect the house from the fire disaster. A round shape thing below the tile is called Kegyo, which makes the end of the horizontal beam not seen from the outside. It is also a kind of decoration.

Ehime Private Tour - Along the path there are lots of small but attractive shops. This shop selling handicrafts made from palm trees. Many types of brooms such as ones for cleaning your desk.

Along the path there are lots of small but attractive shops. This shop selling handicrafts made from palm trees. Many types of brooms such as ones for cleaning your desk.

In front of a house agricultural produce is being sold.

These are dried corn. Dring corn makes them last long.

This is a shop very popular among tourists. Atarashi-ya.

Inside of the shop.

Japanese chopsticks.

Ehime Private Tour - This is the Museum of Commerce & Domestic Life. Using life-size human figures, the musem depicts scenes of dining and everyday life to get a real sense of how Japanese merchants of the Taisho period (1912-1926) lived.

This is the Museum of Commerce & Domestic Life. Using life-size human figures, the musem depicts scenes of dining and everyday life to get a real sense of how Japanese merchants of the Taisho period (1912-1926) lived.

Ehime Private Tour - Uchiko-za Theater, which was built in the economic heyday of Uchiko by the local people who loved the performing of arts. During the agricultural off-season, kabuki, puppet theather and rakugo (comic story telling) were performed here. It was built about 100 years ago, and even today is used for perforamnces and presentations. Now it is a national important cultural asset.

Uchiko-za Theater, which was built in the economic heyday of Uchiko by the local people who loved the performing of arts. During the agricultural off-season, kabuki, puppet theather and rakugo (comic story telling) were performed here. It was built about 100 years ago, and even today is used for perforamnces and presentations. Now it is a national important cultural asset.

It has a seating capacity of 650.

Ehime Private Tour - The center of the stage can revolve. This is useful for changing scenes and cleary contrasting the current scene from the previous one. In the past the operation was made manually with several men pushing the bar in the basement but today it is done electrically.

The center of the stage can revolve. This is useful for changing scenes and cleary contrasting the current scene from the previous one. In the past the operation was made manually with several men pushing the bar in the basement but today it is done electrically.

Uchiko Fresh Park of Karari.

There is a market selling farmers' produce in it.

It is beside the Oda River.

This river is very beautiful. The sand on the bottom often shines like gold dust.

The resturant I'd like to recommend is this one, Karari. It is located inside the park.

Tenjin Japanese Paper Factory. You can produce Japanese paper ( washi) yourself here.

This is the entrance of the factory.

You can see various kinds of Japanese paper products displayed here, and if you want, you can buy them.

Ikazaki Kite Museum. Ikazaki, a part of Uchiko has a long history of kite flying.

Kites from all over Japan and the world are exhibited.

They will satisfy you.

Unique types of kites are found.

This is a traditional kite.

JR Uchiko Station. From here you will return back to Matsuyama by train.

Uchiko Tour from Matsuyama by Kaz

Highlights

Joined 2017

Kaz （和夫）

4.67 / 5

(3 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Ehime

English

7 hours 30 min

Private tour (only you and Kaz （和夫）)

Up to 7 people

Uchiko used to prosper thanks to the production of Japanese vegetable wax until the days of the Taisho period (1912-1926).The Yokaichi and Gokoku Quarter is now the Historic District Preservation Zone.On both sides of approx. 600 street, about 100 houses are traditional residences. Visitors to Uchiko from noisy cities will find themselves remembering with nostalgia how all of Japan used to be.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

At JR Matsuyama Station

Kosho-ji Temple

The Yokaichi & Gokoku Historic Preservation Zone (where you walk therough the zone, exploring the shops along the way)

Shimo-haga Residence

Museum of Commerce & Domestic Life

Uchiko-za Theater

Uchiko Fresh Park of Karari (where you have lunch)

Tenjin Japanese Paper Factory ( wher you are expected to make paper yourself )

IKazaki Kite Museum

Ending Point

At JR Matsuyama Station

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

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Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

guide fee

guide travel expenses ( train expenses both from JR Matsuyama to JR Uchiko and from JR Uchiko to JR Matsuyama)

guide's lunch bill

What‘s not included

travel expenses ( If you have Japan Rail Pass, there is no extra expenses for you. But if you haven't, train expenses both from JR Matsuyama to JR Uchiko and from JR Uchiko to JR Matsuyama. )

taxi fare in Uchiko

from JR Uchiko Station to Kosho-ji Temple : 700 yen / car

from Uchiko-za Theater to Fresh Park of Karari : 800 yen /car

from Fresh Park of Karari to Tenjin Japanese Paper Factory : 900 yen/ car

from Japanese Paper Factory to IKazaki Kite Museum : 600 yen /car

from Ikazaki Kite museum to JR Uchiko Station : 600 yen /car

entance fee and others ( a guide can pass free )

Kamihaga Residence : 500 yen / adult (250 yen /child)

Museum of Commerce & Domestic Life : 200 yen / adult ( 100 yen /child)

Uchiko-za Theater : 400 yen / adult (200 yen /child)

Tenjin Japanese Paper Factory : ( if you want to make paper here ) 500 yen /person

Ikazaki Kite Museum : 300 yen / adult ( 150 yen /child )

lunch bill

Tour Important Information

Gathering time is set at 9:00 in the morning at the JR Matsuyama Station. You should be punctual. If you have Japan Rail Pass, you don't have to pay an extra charge to travel to Uchiko. But there is a procedure in the station for you to do.

The taxi car holds up to 4 passengers Including me, a guide. So when you are 3 members, all of us can get in a car. But when you are 4 to 7 members, you should need another car and have to take 2 cars in total.

Important message from the supplier

I can guide you at other areas in Shikoku, if you would burden my travel expenses. The expenses are, for example, 8,000 yen at Kochi.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2017

Kaz （和夫）

4.67 / 5

(3 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Kaz （和夫）

Hi, everyone. I am Kaz. I live in Ehime, which is opposite from Hiroshima across the Seto Inland Sea.

There is no Shinkansen bullet train here, but there are many things to see. You will have a relaxed, peaceful time, feeling as if time were passing slowly. And you will find lots of beautiful things. For example, there has been a tradition in people's behavior that they will show their hospitalityby serving tea or cakes to walking pilgrims. There have been many who want to visit the temples belonging to the Shikoku 88 Sacred Places, as a pilgrim.

There is also abundance of natural beauty. You can see high mountains extending to the far distance and rivers running through the area. It goes without saying that there is a lot of delicious food.

I am looking forward to seeing you. Please come visit Japan, and discover hidden treasure. Thank you.

Reviews

Simon P.

4 / 5

Apr 11, 2019

The tour exploring traditional Japan in Matsuyama.

Ehime

4 hours

Customized

Apr 11, 2019

“Historical View of Matsuyama”

We had a great guided tour given by Kaz in Matsuyama. He had a challenge of making the tour interesting for teenagers all the way up to a 79 year old!.. He met the challenge with great enthusiasm, and as a result we saw parts of Matsuyama that we would not have seen on our own, I believe not even some locals know what we experienced. Thanks Kaz!

Kaz （和夫）

Thank you for your message to me, Simon. I also had a good time with you and your family members. What you were interested in led to us to a local sake brewer, which began its operation 1bout 120 years ago, and to a cozy garden of the most prestigios inn hotel in Matsuyama with a history of about 400 years. These are the spots they don't visit in a usual tour. As you said, among local people there are few who are so aware of these as you are. I hope you will come to Japan again some day in the future. Finally, please send my regards to your family. Thank you very much again, Simon !

Bob B.

5 / 5

Oct 15, 2018

The tour to Uchiko and Oozu

Ehime

8 hours 30 min

Customized

Oct 15, 2018

“Matsuyama & surrounds”

Kaz was very helpful, reliable, well informed and responsive. A pleasure to have as a personal guide in unknown territory.

Kaz （和夫）

Thank you very much, Bob. I think you could stay in Ehime at a good time becuase it was just around the autumn festival day in Matsuyama. I hope you will visit Shikoku again in the future.

Chelsea R.

5 / 5

Oct 22, 2017

Kochi Custom Booking : 2017-10-17

Kochi

6 hours

Customized

Oct 22, 2017

“Kochi Castle, Buddhist temple, beach ”

We had an awesome time with Kaz. We were able to see quite a lot and Kaz was very informative about the places we visited. Highly recommend!

Kaz （和夫）

Thank you very much for your message, Chelsea. The tour was not a long one,a half-day tour, but I think you could experience good places in Kochi. Now a big typhoon is attacking Japan. It is lucky for you that you could avoid it. The T-shirt your mother gave me at the pier suits very well. Please send my best regards to her. I would like to say again, thank you very much for having a good time with me.