Jōkamachi were castle towns originally developed during the Sengoku period. Inside the area controlled by Oda Nobunaga, the castle towns grew due to a law passed by him, which stimulated commerce by creating a free market system.

One of the oldest jōkamachi, established when the domain was ruled by Nobunaga’s uncle, Oda Nobuyasu, can be visited in Inuyama, close to the Inuyama castle.

Inuyama

EXIF Info:

Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Night street scene in Namba, Osaka