Izushi Meijikan

Built in 1887, Izushi Meijikan was once relegated to housing the local county office and is now open to the public as a museum.

Originally situated near the Taniyama River, the building was eventually dismantled and rebuilt further east where it sits today.

Izushi Meijikan is particularly well-known for its specialized architectural style known as giyofu which mimics Western-style architecture through the use of Japanese construction techniques. The building is the only remaining Western-style Meiji Period (1868-1912) building in town and is recognized as a registered cultural property of Toyooka.

Aside from the charming architectural design, Izushi Mejikan houses a variety of exhibits pertinent to the area.

Upon entering the first exhibition room, visitors are first greeted with an interactive map of the area and an introductory video about Izushi’s history, traditions, seasons, and more.

The room across the hall introduces the story of Izushi-born Takumi Ootomo, a professional baseball player from the Yomiuri Giants, with a collection of memorabilia donated by Mister Ootomo himself.

Further into the building is a large exhibition room about various historical figures born in Izushi, including Hiroyuki Kato, Tokyo University’s first president, and Tsutomu Sakurai, the founder of Japan’s weather report.

A fully-furnished room portraying the former county office sits at the back of Izushi Meijikan for those who would like to take a step into the former atmosphere of the building.