Meiji Mura

Meiji Mura is a huge open air museum containing 60+ buildings shipped from all over Japan specifically from the Meiji period (1867-1912). It is about a half hour drive rom Meito-ku, Nagoya.

The place is huge. The buildings are schools, factories,theatres, churches, post offices, each large and each surronded by trees and independantly displayed. We browsed for three hours and did not see it all. There are lots of displays in each building and a lot of english explanations but only a few staff in period costume, so it felt a bit empty at times.

The Meiji period is specifically the period in Japanese history where Japan was foced at gun point to leave its 300 year isolation from the rest of the world but rather than become a european puppet like other nations in asia, Japanwas able to modernise itself to become a world power within just a generation. The architecture reflects the drive to modernise. There are no traditional homes or traditional buildings, but many buildings that are a mix a Japanese and European styles which is quite interesting.

Not many old buildings survive in Japan. Many were destroyed in the constant drive to modernise over the 20th century and many others were destroyed in WW2. ( for example approximately 40% of Nagoya was destroyed in WW2 by fire bombing. See here from some statistics on the incredible devestation of Japan in WW2) . Meiji Mura is one of the few places in the coutry where you can see historical buildings.

Mie Prefectural Normal School and Kuramochi Primary School

Back to school at some very small desks

The reception hall of Marquis Tsugumichi Saigo Residence. Tsugumichi was the younger brother of the famous "last" samurai Saigo Takamori.

Dining is style at Tsugumichi-san's

Bus tours of Meiji-mura

Mie Prefecure Office

Lamp from the Nijubashi Bridge in the Imperial Palace

Walking around

Kureha-za Kabuki Theatre

My lunch

Uji-Yamada Post Office

"Kikunoyo" Sake Brewery

A large barrel for making sake

The bizzare Mayan enspired Entrance/lobby and front pool from the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Tokyo Imperial hotel

The "actual table" that the treaty of Portsmouth was signed to end the 1904-1905 Russo-Japanese war. Coming only 50 years after Japan was a secluded land ruled by sword wielding samurai, beating a European power (Imerial Russia) recognised the Japanese as a world power, an amazing achievement.

Looking out the back as the tourist steam train leaves the station

The steam train has a little turning circle at the end of the track

Tickets on the tourist tram

The tourist tram stop

Peter tried a toy where you pull the string and a little helicopter top flies off and top

Pam also tried the little helicopter toy

The shop owner heading out back to fetch the toy after Pam's powerful effort

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Meiji Mura