Journeys in Japan

Uchiko, Ehime: A town built upon the thoughts of its people (1x22)

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This time, "journeys in japan" will travel to Uchiko on the island of Shikoku. Surrounded by mountains and blessed with abundant nature it is situated almost at the center of Ehime Prefecture. The town flourished along with the production of vegetable wax in the latter part of the 19th century. Visiting the town is street performer and mathematician, Peter Frankl. First Peter visits the Yokaichi district. The beautiful townscape gave Uchiko its name - 'the town of white walls.' Traditional machiya houses with plastered walls line the streets on both sides for about 600 meters. Some of these houses have been ornately plastered with kote-e, revealing Uchiko's former prosperity through vegetable wax production. In 1982, Japan designated the district as Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings. It has been a popular destination attracting about 300,000 visitors each year ever since. The town is not merely a historical place, people still live and work here and make efforts to revitalize and maintain the traditions. With a 200-year old history, Taro Omori is a sixth generation Japanese candle craftsman and owner of this shop. Japanese candles have big flames and less soot, and the warm glow has brightened the lives of Japanese people for a long time. Omori coats the wick, made from Japanese washi paper and silk, with melted vegetable wax using his bare hands, a traditional method. His son, Ryotaro has also started candle making and the two generations continue the age old tradition together. Next, a trip out of town takes you to peaceful countryside. Visitors can experience country life and cooking at a traditional inn run by local housewives. The inn provides popular accomodation for about one thousand guests every year. Peter experienced mountain herb picking, tasted country cooking and spent a lovely time in the mountain valley. Many people are charmed by Uchiko's beautiful scenery. It is not the remnants of the past that make it a