On this day is the Autumnal Equinox, a public holiday in Japan. We have decided the previous weekend to visit Meijimura (明治村 Meiji Village) which is a short distance away from where we are staying. From my place in Tokadai, it is only a 4km distance away. Nevertheless, via public transport, I have to take a bus to Komaki-Hara station first, transit by train to Inuyama station, follow by a bus ride to the Meijimura. There are buses almost every 20minutes from Inuyama station and it cost 410Yen.
We took the 9.23am train from Komaki-Hara station, followed by the 9.51am bus from Inuyama station and arrived at Meijimura at 10.10am.
Here is the entrance to the Meiji Village. There are two type of passes which we can get. The normal 1600Yen entrance or the combined 2200Yen ticket. The combined ticket allow you to take the rides in the village. We got the combined ticket.
The sights in the village are all labelled on the map so we can follow a route and visit all the buildings in there. From the entrance, we arrived at the famous Meijimura sukiyaki (hot pot) shop which serves a meal for 2 for 5000-6000Yen. As it is not yet lunch time, we skip through the restaurant.
We visited at a meiji era primary school. From there we proceeded through a wooded path up the hill till we arrived at the St Paul Church. All the buildings in the village are relocated from all over Japan to here. So the materials used are exactly the same as back during the meiji era.
From there down is another important building. This building is earmarked to be a cultural asset in Japan.
There is a house not far from there. It is said a famous Japanese writer stayed here. The house is rather spacious and quiet.
We took a group photo here by placing the camera on a cupboard.
This cat seems pretty famous. It is a cat made of stone.
The last sight in the first area is Mie prefecture hall. It has many rooms showcasing the instruments used back then. There are the different type of clocks, watches, toys and so on.
Here is the main office where the prefecture boss sits. Beside his table there is a shelf which has lots of papers. One is 'unprocessed documents', while the other is 'approved documents'. So basically that is all he does.
The main ball room. The girls are imagining the whole place coming alive at night. It has a spooky feel when they mention it.
We arrived at the second area. This area has a distinctive Kyoto feel to it as many of its buildings came in from Kyoto.
It is coming close to lunch time. Just nice in the second area, there is a food court. This food court is pretty famous for its Japanese curry.
We ordered and shared a mega set with a medium-size set. It cost around 850Yen per person.
After lunch, we continue our exploration of the different buildings. Here is the view of the street from the second storey of the meiji village chief office.
We visited one of the lecture rooms in those days and pretended to be students again.
While visiting one of the houses, a tour is just about to start and we joined in. The house we will be visiting is actually a 4 storey high house with stairs leading high up to the roof top. We took a seat at the tatami mat and just listen to her describing the design of the house.
We walked down the street to the next area. It is here where we took a 20minutes break at a ice-cream palour. From there up the hill is a house which exhibits all the medical instruments used in those days and the prominent medical doctors.
From the hilltop, we are granted a beautiful view of the surrounding parks and the lake.
There is a mini-maze in the area which we are able to find out way out easily.
This is a lighthouse.
From Area 3, we decide to take a tram out to Area 4. Here comes the tram back in those days.
And I giving it a push.
As we only have around an hour left before the park closes at 5pm. We decide to proceed straight to Area 5 by train. There are many more sights in Area 5 and the last train departs at 4.40pm.
The Imperial Hotel. Many famous stars is said to have stayed in this hotel previously.
This half damaged building is also another famous landmark of the Meiji village. It is actually a part of a bank building in the past.
From the top we can catch the environs.
Another Meiji era building.
Another famous landmark in the fifth area is the prison area. Here are the gates leading into it.
A typical prison cell. This prison seems quite luxurious. It is more spacious than some of the Japanese hotels.
A Catholic church.
The sun is beginning to set, casting a glow against a cafe.
At the entrance/exit to the village, we too a group photo again.
We left Meiji village at 5.10pm and got back to Inuyama station at 5.30pm. The plan was to have Korean dinner back in Komaki. Unfortunately it was closed, so we just drop by a izakaya for dinner.
We went for their set meal which cost 1470Yen each.
