Iwamura is a small castle town, located in the south-east area of Gifu Prefecture. The history of Iwamura started in the twelfth century, when Iwamura Castle was built in the Kamakura Age. At the later part of the Muromachi Age, Iwamura was a boundary area among ODA, TAKEDA and IMAGAWA Families. There were a lot of battles in this area at that time.

You can access to Iwamura by Akechi Railway from Ena Station on the JR Chuo Main Like. The scenery from a train is very calm and peaceful.

The main street of Iwamura Town is just 500 meters away from Iwamura Station to the east. The west side of the Iwamura main street started to flourish in the late Edo Age. Especially, this area prospered after 1903, when the railroad from Ena opened.

Old houses still remain along the main street.

At the middle of the main street, the street was bent in a hook shape with 90 degrees bends. This was designed to prevent potential enemies from entering into the main area of Iwamura. "Kosatsu", a notice board, was displaced near the bending portion of the main street.

During the Edo Age, the main part of Iwamura was located to the east of the bent portion. The main Iwamura area was originally a castle town in the Edo Age. "KATSUKAWA Residence" is one of the remaining houses from the Edo Age.

The KATSUKAWA Family was a wealthy merchant family in the Edo Age. "KATSUKAWA Residence" is open for the public. Inside of the house was well displayed.

When the Edo Age ended, a couple of castle buildings were sold to the KATSUKAWA family. The warehouse of KATSUKAWA residence is said to be one of the castle buildings.

There are other old houses open to the public. When you walk to the east the furtherist, you will find the "KIMURA Residence". The KIMURA family was a wholesale dealer in the Edo Age.

Rooms and the garden of the residence remain as they were in the Edo Age.

The buildings with the walls covered in mud, were splended and keeps the atmosphere of the Edo Age. The location of the "KIMURA Residence" is close to Iwamura Castle.

Now, power transmission cables in the main street of Iwamura Town were installed under ground. The scenery of the town becomes very beautiful. The main street of Iwamura Town is designated as the important preservation district of historic buildings.

How to get there
From Nagoya, take a rapid train on the JR Chuo Main Line to Ena Station. Change to a Akechi Railway train at Ena Station. Iwamura is the sixth stop from Ena.
Akech Railway trains run once every one hour. It takes you from Nagoya to Iwamura around two hours with a train fare of 1620 yen.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Ruins of Iwamura Castle
Ruins of Naegi Castle
Ruins of Tsumaki Castle