A Center for Public Health and Medical Education
The history of Kiryu Meijikan dates back to a time when the Meiji government was rapidly establishing the institutions of a modern state.
In 1878, the building was newly constructed in Maebashi as a combined sanitation office and medical school. It served as an important center for public health administration and medical education in Gunma Prefecture.
However, the sanitation office was abolished in 1879, followed by the closure of the medical school in 1881. The building subsequently served a variety of purposes, including as a prefectural girls’ school, an elementary school affiliated with a normal school, and an office for the Gunma Agricultural Association.
Relocation to Kiryu
In 1928, Aioi Village in Yamada District acquired the building from the prefecture and had it relocated to its present site. After being remodeled and used as the village office, it continued to serve the local community following Aioi’s merger with Kiryu City, functioning at different times as a branch office and community center.
In 1976, the building was designated a Nationally Important Cultural Property under the name “Former Gunma Prefectural Sanitation Office.” From 1984 to 1986, extensive conservation work was carried out using a partial dismantling and restoration method, carefully returning the building to its original appearance.
Today, the restored building is open to the public as Kiryu Meijikan and continues its role as a museum introducing local history and cultural heritage.
The Beauty and Design of Giyofu Architecture
Kiryu Meijikan is designed with an almost symmetrical facade, with a projecting veranda-like central section at the front.
Its white walls and Western-inspired decorative elements are characteristic of giyofu architecture. Rather than being built according to established Western architectural methods, these structures were created by Japanese carpenters and craftsmen who studied Western architecture and adapted what they learned using traditional Japanese techniques.
Looking closely at the building reveals numerous details that combine Japanese craftsmanship with Western visual influences. This distinctive mixture makes Kiryu Meijikan particularly valuable from the perspective of Japanese architectural history.
Inside, visitors encounter an elegant yet nostalgic atmosphere. Wooden floors and stairways, traditional craftsmanship, and windows that allow soft natural light into the rooms preserve the atmosphere of the Meiji era.
Exhibits and Highlights Inside the Building
First-Floor Exhibition Room – Modern History Through Music
The first-floor exhibition room contains permanent displays of Meiji-period pianos and organs, offering an unusual perspective on Japan’s cultural modernization.
One particularly interesting piano is said to have been delivered in 1922 through a shop associated with the wealthy Kiryu merchant the 12th generation of Fumizaemon Kakiage. The name of a factory in Yamashita-cho, Yokohama, is inscribed inside the instrument.
The piano provides a tangible reminder of the connections between Kiryu, Yokohama, and overseas trade. Kiryu flourished as a center of silk and textile production, while Yokohama developed as an important international port. The instrument therefore represents more than a musical object—it also offers a glimpse into the economic and cultural exchanges that accompanied Japan’s modernization.
Second-Floor Exhibition Room and Meeting Room – A Living Cultural Space
The second floor contains an exhibition room and meeting room that continue to be used for art exhibitions, individual displays, meetings, and other cultural activities.
Experiencing contemporary art and community activities inside a building dating from the early Meiji period creates a unique contrast between past and present. The fact that the building remains part of the community adds to its appeal as a living piece of local heritage.
Reception Room – Elegant Decoration and Historical Furnishings
The reception room at the center of the building has a distinctive layout, including a pair of double doors and additional doors on either side.
The room contains luxurious furniture finished in black lacquer with gold maki-e decoration. Maki-e is a traditional Japanese lacquer technique in which designs are created using powdered gold or other decorative materials. These furnishings provide a valuable example of the refined decorative styles associated with the Meiji period.
Considering the original function and circumstances of the building, the actual furnishings may have been considerably simpler. Nevertheless, the displayed pieces provide an interesting reference for understanding the furniture and interior design of the era.
A Historic Red Chair
A red chair displayed toward the back of the room is traditionally said to have been used when the future Emperor Taisho visited Kiryu in 1902. It is also said to have been used again by Emperor Showa in 1934.
The chair had been preserved by Kiryu City and is now displayed in the building. Although it was not originally associated directly with the former sanitation office, it is an intriguing historical object that evokes the changing eras of Japan from the Meiji through the Showa period.
A Relaxing Break at the Historic Tea Room
Kiryu Meijikan also has a tea room and café where visitors can enjoy drinks, desserts, and light meals while listening to the gentle sound of music played from a vintage gramophone.
The nostalgic interior creates the feeling of stepping back into another era. Taking a break here during a sightseeing trip provides an opportunity to slow down and appreciate the building’s atmosphere rather than simply viewing it as a historical monument.
Kiryu Meijikan as Part of a Kiryu Sightseeing Trip
Kiryu developed as an important textile-producing town and cultivated a distinctive culture as Japan modernized. Kiryu Meijikan is one of the buildings that vividly reflects this period of transformation.
Born during the dramatic changes of the Meiji era, relocated and renovated over the decades, and continuously used by the local community, the building represents more than an architectural attraction. It is also a physical record of Kiryu’s modern history.
The white Western-style exterior, historic furnishings, and quiet atmosphere allow visitors to experience a different side of Japan’s modernization. Exploring the building while considering the people who designed, used, preserved, and passed it on through generations offers a memorable way to connect with Kiryu’s past.
When visiting Kiryu, a stop at Kiryu Meijikan is an opportunity to step into an elegant surviving piece of the early Meiji period and experience the unique architectural and cultural atmosphere created when traditional Japanese craftsmanship met new Western influences.