Meiji Mura is one of Japan’s great open-air museums, preserving more than 60 authentic buildings of the Meiji era (1868–1912) — the tumultuous age when Japan flung open its doors and hybridised Western brick, clapboard and stained glass with its own carpentry. Rescued from demolition across the country and rebuilt on a wooded hillside above Lake Iruka near Inuyama, the collection ranges from churches, post offices and a kabuki theatre to its crown jewel, the reconstructed main entrance hall of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel, while a working steam locomotive and vintage Kyoto trams carry visitors between the districts.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Inuyama, Aichi |
| Hours | Typically 9:30–17:00; seasonal variation |
| Admission | ~¥2,500 |
| Time needed | Half day to full day |
| Best time | Spring and autumn for comfortable strolling |
What to See
- The reconstructed lobby of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel.
- 60+ genuine Meiji buildings: churches, schools, a kabuki theatre.
- Rides on a working steam locomotive and vintage trams.
- Lakeside and hillside strolling between architectural districts.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Inuyama Castle in the same town.
- Pair with cormorant fishing on a summer evening.
- Read our Aichi overview .
Getting There
- By bus: direct bus from Inuyama Station, about 20 minutes.
- From Nagoya: Meitetsu to Inuyama then bus; about 1 hour total.
Tips
The site is far larger than most visitors expect — a hilly kilometre end to end — so plan at least half a day, use the steam train and trams to cover ground, and grab the croquettes and Meiji-era-recipe foods sold in the village. The Imperial Hotel lobby at the far northern end is the masterpiece; if time is short, head there first and work back.
