Where History Still Lives in the Lattice of the Town
Tucked away in the old castle town area of Obama City, the Obama Nishigumi Historic District is a rare, living townscape where history and daily life continue side by side.
Designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 2008, this area preserves the character of a bustling merchant district from the Edo to early Showa periods.
Originally part of the Obama Domain, the town developed as a castle town with clearly divided zones for samurai and merchants.
The Nishigumi area retains the layout and atmosphere of the merchant quarter, where traditional buildings with wooden lattices and mushikomado—narrow vertical-barred windows unique to Kansai townhouses—still line the streets.
These architectural features are more than aesthetic; they reflect the ingenuity of Edo-period urban life, designed to balance privacy, airflow, light, and fire protection.
As you stroll through the streets, you’ll notice that many of these historic buildings are still inhabited.
It’s a place where history is not just preserved but quietly lived.
Interpretive signs and small museums throughout the district help visitors learn about the area’s development and unique architectural elements.
Obama was once called the “Nara by the Sea” due to its abundance of temples and cultural heritage.
Close ties with Kyoto are also reflected in its town planning and architecture, which echo the elegance and practicality of the old capital.
In this quiet district, you’ll find not just preserved buildings, but a preserved rhythm of life—an authentic experience of a Japanese town where time seems to pause.
