Taisho Mura Japanese Old Village: Where is it?
Do you want to avoid crowded places as you travel around Japan? Do you want to experience an old lifestyle and quiet environment on your next trip to Japan? Well, Taisho Mura, a Japanese old village has a lot of things to offer! Let`s have a quick virtual tour in this classic village. You will have some ideas what to expect when you happen to visit this nostalgic and authentic Japanese village.
Brief History of Taisho Mura
In case you are curious, the name of this place is Taisho Mura. Taisho is from the name of Emperor Taisho, the 123rd emperor of Japan and the great-grandfather of Emperor Naruhito (the present emperor). Emperor Taisho`s reign, which lasted from 1912 to 1926, is known in the history as Taisho era or great righteousness. Then, the word mura is a Japanese word for village.
Taisho Mura is in Akechi-cho, which used to be a town with numerous big companies related to forestry and lumber industries. This town used to have the highest financial strength in Gifu prefecture, especially in the 1950s. However, due to the rapid advancement in technological innovations, the number of employees had been reduced, and eventually the place was depopulated. Hence, it was logical to close the Akechi line of the Japanese National Railways (the specific transportation line to get to Akechi) in 1981.
With the sense of crisis that Akechi-cho would be left behind in the process of development, the Tourism Association decided to build Taishomura in September 1983. With the local government`s tedious preparations and many hard works, brainstorming, debates, and considerations of many things, the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1985 was essentially instrumental in the establishment of additional facilities in Taisho Mura. Some of them were cobblestone road from Taisho alley to Taisho village office, museum, municipal parking lot, and rice field. In the same year, the Akechi line was reopened. As a result, the number of visitors reached about 60,000 in 1986 and 150,000 in 1987.
In 2011, Taisho celebrated 100th Anniversary Ceremony. So, this year 2021, Taisho is celebrating its 110th Anniversary. However, the celebration will not be as splendid as before due to the pandemic. In fact, when we visited a few days ago, there were very few people, and only a couple of restaurants and souvenir shops were open.
Taisho Mura Office (Former Akechi Town Hall)
Information Center (Former Bank Storehouse)
Taisho Old Post Office Building
The old Akechi Post Office which is now the present Historical Communication Building
Taisho Lane
Former Miyake Family Residence
This more-than-three-century house, according to the caretaker, was the home of the Miyake Family. Its interior is spacious with classic Japanese furniture. The firewood burning inside is reminiscent of the old lifestyle in a countryside.
Old Streets of Taisho Mura
As you can see in the photos above, there were no people or tourists around the village. These photos were taken in July 2021. Although this place is open, the pandemic keeps the roads empty of tourists. This scenario added to the nostalgia that I felt when I was walking around this old village. I rarely see local people but I did smell some food being cooked. So I believed there were people somewhere in these old houses along these narrow streets.
Although Taisho is celebrating its 110th anniversary this 2021, I presume that these streets and houses have been existing way beyond 110 years ago. There were other places and houses and castle ruins to be visited in this place, but our limited time did not permit us. We were not able to visit them all due to the excruciating heat of summer. My Japanese friends were so generous enough to take me to this place.
Where is Taisho Mura?
Taisho Mura is located at 1884-3, Akechi-cho, Ena-shi, Gifu Prefecture. Check the map below to navigate your direction if you are coming from Nagoya airport or Nagoya Station. If you have a car, you can check the shortest route to get there. If you are taking a train, check the google map and get the direction from your point of departure.
Their phone number is 0573-54-3944. Typically, they are open from 9:00 to 17:00 and the admission is until 16:30. However, from December 15th to the end of February, the business hours are from 10:00 to 16:00. To get more accurate information, especially during the pandemic, you may visit Taisho Mura`s website here.
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