Discover the romance of the Meiji era in Yamagata City - A tour of retro architecture

Visiting the Yamagata City Folk Museum and Education Museum

Yamagata City is home to beautiful Western-style architecture built between the Meiji and Taisho periods.

The Yamagata City Folk Museum (Former Saiseikan Main Building) and the Yamagata Prefectural Museum Education Museum (Former Yamagata Normal School Main Building) are two of the city's most notable examples.

Both are designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan, and are impressive examples of retro architecture, showcasing the modern design and craftsmanship of the time.

◎Yamagata City Folk Museum (Former Saiseikan Main Building)

The three-story Yamagata City Folk Museum, located within Kajo Park, was built in 1878 as a prefectural hospital. Its unique octagonal structure and fusion of Japanese wooden construction techniques with Western design make it a masterpiece of "quasi-Western architecture."

The museum displays medical equipment and documents from the period, allowing visitors to experience the lifestyles of people and technological advances of the Meiji period.

In spring, the building stands out against the cherry blossoms of Kajo Park, making it a popular spot for photography enthusiasts.

Address: 1-1 Kajo-cho, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture (inside Kajo Park)
Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed: New Year's holiday
Admission: Free
Access: Approximately a 15-minute walk from the west exit of JR Yamagata Station

◎Educational Museum (Former Yamagata Normal School Main Building)

The former Yamagata Normal School Main Building, built in 1901, is currently open to the public as the Yamagata Prefectural Museum Educational Museum.

A Renaissance-style wooden building with a beautiful contrast between its white walls and red roof, it has been designated a National Important Cultural Property.

Inside the museum, you can experience the history of education in the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods through recreated classroom exhibits and educational materials.

Original blackboards, desks, and maps hanging on the walls create a space filled with nostalgia and the weight of history.

While the exterior alone is well worth seeing, the interior also has a quiet and tranquil atmosphere.

Address: 2-2-8 Midori-cho, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM)
Closed: Mondays (or the following day if a public holiday falls on a Monday)
Admission Fee: 150 yen for adults, free for high school students and younger

◎Recommended Stroll

The two museums are accessible by foot or bus, allowing you to explore them at your leisure in about half a day.

We recommend spending your time strolling around Kajo Park and the Local History Museum in the morning, followed by a quiet learning session at the Education Museum in the afternoon.

Both are symbols of the Meiji era, when Japan embraced Western culture, and are valuable buildings that allow you to experience Yamagata's modern history.

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