Imanishi Family Residence
Reserve a visit to a 1650 merchant-town residence whose roof and earthen hall recall a fortified gate.
Verified site photographs are being prepared.Discover Imanishi Family Residence
At Imaicho's western edge, the Imanishi family's residence looks closer to a small castle than to the narrower shops farther east. A dated ridge plaque and roof-tile inscription place the present building in 1650. The family held a leading town-elder role, and the large earthen-floor hall served more than commerce: the city's heritage account says simple disputes could be heard there. The house is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, but it is not a drop-in museum. Its preservation foundation requires a reservation by the day before, so the exterior and an interior tour must be planned as different experiences.
Read the roof from the western street
Kashihara City describes a white-plastered exterior and an unusually complex tiled roof, sometimes called yatsumune or 'eight-ridge' style. The offset gables at both ends give the western frontage its fortified appearance. Compare the roofline from the public lane with smaller merchant-house facades, but leave the residence entrance free for booked visitors and residents.
Understand the town-elder's working space
Inside, the city records a large earthen hall, a six-room arrangement, an attached corner reception room and a raised threshold between hall and living space. It says the hall could be treated as an informal hearing space. This was a lived and administered town house, not simply a decorative samurai mansion. A guided visit is the appropriate way to learn which rooms are open and what has been conserved.
Separate family history from the house's date
The foundation traces the family's Imaicho roots to 1566; the current building is documented from 1650. The city connects the family to the town's western defence and subsequent town-elder leadership. Those layers should not be compressed into a claim that the present walls stood in 1566. Ask about the evidence on a tour and treat the family's wider genealogical narratives as historical interpretation.
Reserve before designing the day
The operator states there is no admission without a reservation made by the previous day, through its contact form or by telephone. It lists visits 10:00–12:00 and 13:00–17:00, last entry 16:30, with Mondays closed or the next weekday after a Monday holiday. Its current fee list is ¥500 for adults, ¥250 for middle-school age and younger, and ¥400 each for groups of ten or more. The city's older inspection table lists additional summer and year-end periods subject to consultation; confirm the chosen date directly.
Walk here through the protected town
The foundation places Imaicho a short walk west of Kintetsu Yagi-Nishiguchi and under twenty minutes from JR Unebi. Use the western approach through the town rather than driving to the door: streets are narrow and other houses remain private. The foundation lists the Imai West moat-side car park for drivers, but its fee and availability can change.
What to look for
Documented 1650 residence and eight-ridge roof
Earthen hall associated with town administration
Booked interior tour of an Important Cultural Property
Photo notes
The foundation explicitly forbids copying its website text and photographs. A booked tour does not itself grant commercial shooting or publication rights; ask the foundation separately before photographing interiors, staff or residents, and obtain image licences for MyNara.
SEASONAL CALENDAR
Events connected with Imanishi Family Residence
These records are shared with MyNara’s event calendar, so dates and notices have one source. Recurring patterns are not confirmed dated editions; check the organizer’s latest guidance.
Imaicho Townscape Walk
Kashihara City describes this town-wide May festival as a chance to experience Imaicho's history and culture in its nationally designated historic district. The programme can include a period-costume tea procession, a recreated Rokusai market, tea service, street art, performances and openings at selected historic houses. The Agency for Cultural Affairs' profile of the district reports more than 10,000 visitors annually. The usual window is the second Saturday through the third Sunday in May, with the main events on the third Sunday; check the current city or preservation-society notice for the next dates, open buildings, fees and traffic arrangements. The district is the venue; nearby shops and residences are not automatically participating venues.
Check organizer informationMake a day of it
Explore guides close to this map point, then check the actual route before travelling. Distances below are straight lines, not walking distances or travel times; map points may not be entrances.
Sources & editorial status
Original MyNara draft based on the linked sources. Sources reviewed 20 October 2026. Opening arrangements, prices and offers may change; use the operator's current information before travelling.
- Official Nara Travel Guide
- Imanishi preservation foundation — current booking, hours and fees
- Imanishi preservation foundation — English outline and advance booking notice
- Kashihara City — dated building, plan and town-elder role (updated 27 July 2026)
- Kashihara City — March 2026 historic-house visiting table; differing hours and seasonal closure caveat