Retro trip to Taisho Village, Japan | Enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the Taisho period and photogenic spots

Japan Taisho Village, located in Akechi Town, Ena City, Gifu Prefecture, is a town-wide tourist spot that conveys the architecture and atmosphere of the Taisho era to the present day. Known as the hometown of Akechi Mitsuhide and accessible by the Akechi Railway, the town is filled with retro buildings, museums, cafes, and experience facilities. It is also a popular spot for foreign tourists, who enjoy strolling around the town in a kimono and taking photos in front of the photogenic Western-style buildings.

What is Taisho Village Japan?

Japan Taisho Village is a town development project themed on the Taisho era that began in the 1980s as part of a town revitalization effort. The entire town of Akechi is treated as a single tourist area, with Taisho-style buildings, signs, clothing, and facility names all standardized. Its greatest feature is that it is not just an exhibition facility, but that the atmosphere of the era is recreated throughout the town.

In addition to the retro townscape, staff dress in Taisho-era costumes, and the town hall and tourist information center are Western-style buildings, so just visiting the town will make you experience an extraordinary space. For foreign tourists in particular, it is a unique cultural experience where modern and traditional Japan intersect.

How to enjoy experiencing the romance of the Taisho era

Japan Taisho Village is not just a tourist destination, but offers a variety of ways to experience the "Taisho Romanticism" with all five senses. One of its great attractions is being able to have an extraordinary experience in a retro townscape.

• Rent a kimono and stroll around (popular with foreigners)
• Enjoy a coffee break at a Showa-Taisho style coffee shop
• Taking photos for social media with retro architecture as the backdrop
• There are also restaurants serving local cuisine (Keichan, Gohei mochi, etc.)

Taisho Village offers a unique experience that cannot be found in modern times, set against the backdrop of historical architecture and food culture. It is attracting attention as a tourist destination that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people, from families to foreign tourists.

Main attractions of Taisho Village

Taisho Village Romantei

Romantei, a building that can be said to symbolize Taisho Village, is a Western-style building with a striking red roof against a white exterior, and is a landmark of the town. The building houses a tourist information center, a cafe, a souvenir shop, and more, making it the perfect first stop on your visit.

The exterior looks like a European mansion, making it a popular spot for commemorative photos. Depending on the season, flowers decorate the building, creating an even more photogenic effect. The pamphlets distributed within the building also contain walking maps of the town and event information, making it a great base for sightseeing.

Taisho Village Museum

If you want to learn about the lifestyle and culture of the Taisho era, we recommend the Taisho Village Museum. There are plenty of exhibits that give you a glimpse into life at the time, including furniture, clothing, textbooks, household items, posters, and advertisements.

Particularly impressive are the areas that recreate elementary school classrooms from that time, and the display of covers of women's magazines. You'll find yourself engrossed in the spaces that have been carefully recreated down to the smallest detail. Some of the exhibits are written in English, making them easy for foreigners to understand.

Old Pharmacy Museum

The Old Pharmacy Museum, located in a corner of town, is a facility that has preserved and opened to the public a former pharmacy. It is lined with medical tools that are rarely seen today, such as wooden medicine cabinets, medicine bottles from that time, thermometers, and advertisements.

Not only can you learn about the changes in Japanese medical culture and hygiene concepts, but you can also experience the retro atmosphere of the Showa and Taisho eras. The interior lighting, wooden floors, and other details have been carefully preserved, making it feel more valuable than just a museum.

Retro Library (former Akechi Elementary School)

The Retro Library, which utilizes the old Akechi Elementary School building, is another unique attraction in Taisho Village. The two-story wooden Western-style school building features beautiful window frames and impressive staircases, and the building itself feels like a valuable cultural asset.

The inside is used as a library with local materials and children's books, but tourists are also welcome to enter the building to look around. This unique space, which combines the everyday space of a library with historical architecture, is also recommended for those who want to spend some quiet time.

Nearby Attractions

• Akechi Railway:This popular local railway offers sightseeing trains such as the "Agar Train," where you can enjoy nostalgic scenery.
• Iwamura Castle Ruins – A mountain castle with a legend of a female lord. Only 10 minutes away by the Akechi Railway, it is recommended for history buffs.
• Roadside Station Granny City Yamaoka – The world's largest wooden waterwheel is the landmark. There are also plenty of local gourmet foods and direct sales outlets.

summary

Japan Taisho Village is a unique themed tourist area in Japan, where the entire town recreates the Taisho era. In addition to touring museums and architecture, there are plenty of cultural experiences to enjoy, such as trying on a kimono and touring retro coffee shops. With its historical background as a place associated with Akechi Mitsuhide, it is a highly recommended spot for foreign tourists. Why not take a leisurely day to enjoy the charms of Akechi Town by combining sightseeing with the Akechi Railway?