Museum Meiji-Mura
About This Museum
You won't believe this place started with a single phone booth—the one where author Natsume Soseki supposedly made his calls! Now it's a massive, sprawling park where you can literally walk through the entire Meiji era. I spent a whole afternoon just wandering from a grand old bank to a charming church, all original buildings saved from demolition and moved here. It feels less like a museum and more like time travel, complete with vintage trams rattling down the paths.
Collection Highlights
Don't miss the stunning Main Entrance Hall and Lobby of the old Imperial Hotel, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright; it's an absolute masterpiece. You can also peek inside Japan's oldest prison cell or see the elaborate woodwork of St. John's Church. And yes, you can even ride those beautiful old trams!
Visitor Information
Wear comfy shoes because this place is huge—it's on a hillside by a lake, so be ready for some walking. The vintage tram is a lifesaver for getting between the far-flung buildings, and it's included with your entry ticket.
Architecture & Building
It's a wild mix of Western and Japanese styles from that period, so you'll see everything from classic black-and-white timbered houses to grand brick government buildings with ornate domes.
