Meiji Mura

Meiji Mura is an open-air architectural museum located in Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture. Since its opening in 1965 (Showa 40), it has been recognized as one of Japan's largest open-air museums, displaying 67 buildings from the Meiji and Taisho periods that have been relocated and preserved from various regions across the country, spread across an expansive site of approximately 1 million square meters. Most of the buildings in its collection are designated as Important Cultural Properties or Registered Tangible Cultural Properties. As a facility that systematically preserves architectural heritage from the Bunmei Kaika (Civilization and Enlightenment) era, it attracts a broad spectrum of visitors ranging from architectural historians and modern history researchers to general tourists.

From the perspective of swords and armor, Meiji Mura's collections and special exhibitions are noteworthy. With the relocation of Meiji-period buildings, the museum displays weapons, armor, and military equipment originating from former military facilities, former imperial residences, and former government buildings through both permanent and special exhibitions. In particular, the collection of military swords from the former Imperial Army (standard swords from the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods) holds significant research value as documentary material for the history of modern Japanese swords. The unique appeal of Meiji Mura—a quality not found at other institutions—lies in its ability to experience the "Meiji-period military sword transition," when the Japanese sword evolved from the samurai era into modern military equipment, alongside the architecture and living culture of the age.

The site features renowned buildings such as the former residence of Saigo Tsugumichi, brother of Saigo Takamori (Important Cultural Property), the Higashiyamanashi County Office (Important Cultural Property), and St. John's Church (Important Cultural Property). It is also known for collaborative exhibitions with pop culture franchises such as Detective Conan and Demon Slayer. With convenient access approximately 20 minutes by bus from Meitetsu Inuyama Line's Inuyama Station and within one hour from Nagoya, it forms a complete Japanese sword sightseeing circuit in Aichi Prefecture when combined with the Touken World Foundation (Nagoya) and the Tokugawa Art Museum.