Spending the day at Meiji Mura

as real estate prices increased in Japan after World War II old buildings were no longer economically viable. Some of those buildings were considered historical, culturally important or architecturally reminiscent or beautiful. Those buildings were moved to this large piece of land north of Nagoya. If you are going to make this trip from Tokyo it is definitely a full day at Meiji Mura. If you are staying in Nagoya you can do it in half a day. It is almost 1 hour train ride away from Nagoya station in a little village called INU YAMA (dog Mountain). Meiji Mura is an important place to visit if you are interested in late 1800s up to World War II architecture, history or culture, or if you just want to have a very pleasant half day or full day walk in one of the most interesting places in Japan.

day at MejiiMura
This shows an interesting mix of western colonial and Japanese architecture
an elementary school
三蛋県暴常師範学校 減特小学  an elementary school
Royal family chrysanthemum
This chrysanthemum with 16 front petals is the symbol of the Japanese royal family.
Textbooks day at Meiji Mura
Text books, writing instruments and the one upper bead abacus (the Chinese one has two on the top).
Attending school day at Meiji Mura
Attending school, a day at Meiji Mura
Kanji with phonetics
Here you see a textbook with not only the kanji but also phonetics beside them indicating how the kanji is pronounced. Some kanji can have up to more than 20 different pronunciations depending upon the specific Chinese dialect (a longer story)
Classroom
The classroom
St. John's Church
St. John’s Church
day at MejiiMura
Marquis Tsugumichi Saigo Residence
Marquis Tsugumichi Saigo Residence
Marquis Tsugumichi Saigo Residence
Marquis Tsugumichi Saigo Residence
House of Ogai Mori and Soseki Natsume
House of Ogai Mori and Soseki Natsume
Fungus on the tree trunk
Interesting fungus on the tree trunk
Telephone Exchange,Sapporo
Telephone Exchange,Sapporo
Nakai Sake Brewery
Nakai Sake Brewery
A talisman and an indicator
On the front of the sake brewery building you will see on the left a talisman which warns away bad Fortune. On the right you see a ball made from cedar leaves indicating new sake is available.
Tomatsu house
Tomatsu House
Physics and Chemistry Theaters, the Fourth National High School
Physics and Chemistry Theaters, the Fourth National High School
A school
a school
Dr. Shimizu's Office
Dr. Shimizu’s Office
Village room
The village mayor’s room
Rainy day
Not too many people on this rainy day
Old tram
an old tram which goes between stations
Kitasato Institute
Kitasato Institute
"Zagyo-so", Villa of Prince Kimmochi Saionji
“Zagyo-so”, Villa of Prince Kimmochi Saionji
"Zagyo-so", Villa of Prince Kimmochi Saionji
"Zagyo-so", Villa of Prince Kimmochi Saionji
"Zagyo-so", Villa of Prince Kimmochi Saionji
"Zagyo-so", Villa of Prince Kimmochi Saionji
Shinagawa Lighthouse
Shinagawa Lighthouse
No. 25, Nagasaki Foreign Settlement
No. 25, Nagasaki Foreign Settlement
Ward, Japan Red Cross Society, Central HospitaK
Ward, Japan Red Cross Society, Central Hospital
Steam locomotive
an old steam locomotive
Barber Shop "Kinotoko", Hongo
Barber Shop “Kinotoko”, Hongo
Old bathhouse
an old bathhouse
St. Fracis Xavier's Cathedral
St. Fracis Xavier’s Cathedral
River area
a view of the river and Lake area

Exploring Topkapi episode 2

Exploring Topkapi palace is a must when visiting Istanbul. This is the palace of the sultans. You need about three hours at least if you want to just walk through slowly and enjoy the different rooms and details. You need a few hours more to study everything.

European style room. Exploring Topkapi
The rooms are extremely ornate and some of them like this one employed European styles
Ornate robe
The robes were extremely ornate
Greeting room
One of the main greeting rooms
Eastern design. Exploring Topkapi
Using mostly eastern designs
French designed room
I think this is a French designed room
Beautiful colors
The colors even on the chair upholstery is amazing
A sultan. Exploring Topkapi
One of the sultans
Waiting room
A waiting room
Lighter colors
A Lighter coordinated design arrangement
Starry night replications?
The ceilings remind me of conglomerations of stars
French designed throne
French designed thrown. You will see a light blue used in the emblem which was also used in France for the royal family
Amazing window. Exploring Topkapi
Beautiful calligraphy
Arabic calligraphy is kind of mind blowing
Washing basin
A place for Royals to wash
Eastern design throne
A very eastern designed throne. It doesn’t really look very comfortable though. I hope they used some pillows.
Sultans shoes
Shoes of the sultan and other items
A prophet's letter
A letter supposedly written by Muhammad
Holy cardigan
Artifact room
Profits footprint
Mohammed footprint
This is supposed to be the footprint of Mohammed. He must’ve had extremely gigantic feet. It reminds me of the footprint moldings of the Buddha.
Jewish relics
Jewish relics
Mohammed's walking stick
Mohammed’s walking stick
Ornate things
The ornateness of everything was incredible
Palace library
The Palace library. You will notice there is very good lighting here
Big bedroom
A consultant’s bedroom
Beautiful designs
I love the decorations and designs
Beautiful designs
It would take a lot of time to go through the palace and look at the detail of the artwork