“Miyagi’s Meiji Village” – 7 Recommended Tourist Spots in Tome! A Traditional and Relaxing Town

Tome, in Tome-cho, Tome City, located in the northeastern part of Miyagi Prefecture, is an area also known as "Miyagi’s Meiji Village" because many buildings from the Meiji era still remain. If you love historic buildings that evoke a sense of history, be sure to visit at least once. In this article, we introduce 7 tourist spots in Tome-cho.

Former Tome Municipal Normal High School

Designated as an Important Cultural Property by the national government in 1981 (Showa 56), the "Former Tome Municipal Normal High School" is a two-story wooden building constructed in 1888 (Meiji 21). It now operates as an educational museum and is an extremely valuable resource for learning about school architecture from the Meiji era.

It was designed by Kizaburo Yamazoe, the first Japanese carpenter to travel to the West and learn Western architectural techniques. He was known for his uncompromising selection of building materials, and his story is still told today as a testament to his dedication.

The admission fee for the Former Tome Municipal Normal High School is 400 yen. The opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. There is also a combined ticket for the other facilities introduced later, priced at 1,000 yen (as of December 2019).

Mizusawa Prefectural Office Memorial Hall

The "Mizusawa Prefectural Office Memorial Hall" was once the government office of "Tome Prefecture" established after the Boshin War during the abolition of the feudal domains. Tome Prefecture comprised the current northern Miyagi and southern Iwate Prefectures.

Although the entrance of the Mizusawa Prefectural Office Memorial Hall looks like traditional Japanese architecture with a hip-and-gable style and fox lattice on the bargeboards, the main building is actually a Western-style, single-story wooden structure. It is one of the rare, representative public buildings of the prefecture and is open to the public.

The admission fee is 200 yen, and the opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Police Museum

Originally built as the Tome Police Station headquarters, the "Police Museum" was designed by Kizaburo Yamazoe—the same architect behind the Former Tome Municipal Normal High School—and is a two-story wooden building. Its gabled roof features oni (demon) tiles, and the protruding second-floor entrance includes a balcony.

In Showa 43, the local Chamber of Commerce moved into the building as offices, but they relocated in Showa 61. Later, during restoration work, the foundation of the detention center used when it served as the police headquarters was discovered.

Finding the foundation of a detention center from the Meiji era is extremely rare, and from Showa 62 onward, the museum has been open to the public as Japan’s only museum exhibiting police-related materials.

The admission fee for the Police Museum is 300 yen, and the opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Shunrantei

"Shunrantei" is a former samurai residence built from the middle to late Edo period. The exact date of construction is unclear, but it is believed to be over 200 years old. It was occupied by the descendants until the first year of Heisei, when it was donated to the town.

It is currently used as a free rest area.

If you visit Shunrantei, be sure to try the “Shunran Tea.” Shunran Tea is made by pouring hot water over Shunran (a plant that grows wild in the mountains) that has been pickled in salt. Enjoy the elegant floating Shunran flowers and their fragrance in your teacup.

Admission to Shunrantei is free, and the opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Tome Kaikokan

"Tome Kaikokan" is a museum built in September of the first year of Reiwa, designed by architect Kengo Kuma. Inside, you can see armors and swords associated with the Date family of Tome, as well as valuable paintings.

Entering from the main gate facing the old samurai residence street, you are greeted by a serene Japanese garden—a highlight in itself. Special exhibitions on local history and outdoor performances of traditional arts, as well as open-air tea ceremonies, are also held, so be sure to visit.

The admission fee for Tome Kaikokan is 400 yen, and the opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Ebiki Kura Museum

The long-established "Ebiki" has been producing miso, soy sauce, and sake in Tome-cho for many years. Attached to its shop is the "Kura Museum," where you can learn about the history of miso and soy sauce brewing and the structure of traditional kura (storehouses).

There are no information panels inside the museum; even if you enter alone, a staff member will always guide you. As the kura had almost no visitors for 80 years until it was opened to the public in 1992, many traces of the past remain throughout the building—pay attention to these details.

The admission fee is 200 yen. If you are in a group of 10 or more, you can reserve a meal at the adjacent "Ebiki Hall."

The B-Class Gourmet Aburafu-don is also Recommended

The "Aburafu-don" is a B-class gourmet dish made with "aburafu," a local specialty of Tome-cho. Aburafu is fried wheat gluten, known for its rich and savory flavor that is distinct from ordinary wheat gluten. Aburafu-don is prepared by binding the aburafu with eggs and serving it over rice. Its taste is similar to katsudon but is healthier, making it popular among women.

There are 11 shops in Tome-cho that serve aburafu-don. Some require reservations, so when you visit Tome-cho, be sure to check them out as well.