[Aichi] 10 Must-Buy Souvenirs from Meiji Mura: Top Picks for Your Visit

Meiji Mura is an open-air museum in Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture that preserves and exhibits architecture from the Meiji period.

Famous buildings, mainly from the Meiji period, have been relocated and preserved on the vast site of approximately 1 million square meters.

Meiji Mura offers a wide range of attractive original goods, including sweets and stationery with retro designs.

So, this time we will introduce some recommended goods and souvenirs that you should pick up when you visit Meiji Mura.

What is Meiji Mura?

The charming Red Brick Street of 2-chome

Imperial Hotel Central Entrance

Meiji Mura is an open-air museum that mainly relocates and preserves architecture from the Meiji period. It spreads over a hilly area of about 1 million square meters, boasting beautiful scenery facing Iruka pond, and exhibits over 60 buildings, including 11 that have been designated as Important Cultural Properties by the nation.

The village is divided into five areas, from 1-chome, where the main gate is, to 5-chome, where the north entrance is, and each has its own unique charm.

There are two museum shops in Meiji Mura

A general store near the North Exit Entrance Gate "SL Tokyo Station Store"

Meiji Mura has two general shops: the Museum Shop at the main entrance gate, and the SL Tokyo Station Shop near the north entrance gate.

The largest shop is the "SL Tokyo Station Shop."

"Ready-made curry" that recreates the taste of the Meiji era

The instant curry that recreates the taste of the Meiji era is one of the most popular souvenirs at Meiji Mura. It recreates the cooking method that was popular in Japan at that time, so you can enjoy the authentic taste at home.

Shoku-dou-raku (Foodie ) no Curry ¥650 (tax included)

"Shoku-dou-raku no Curry" is a curry that appears in the book "Shokudouraku" by Gensai Murai, a famous cooking expert and food culture critic from the Meiji period. It was considered a must-read book for women of marriageable age at the time, and became a best-seller, selling over 500,000 copies.

This product is a reproduction of the curry that appears in the book. It is based on Indian curry and contains chicken and crushed peanuts. It is mild in spiciness, so even children can enjoy it.

Oi-nikuten Beef Curry and Hayashi Beef ¥750 each (tax included)

We also recommend the beef curry and hayashi beef supervised by Oi-nikuten, a long-established beef store in Kobe!

The curry is a special dish made by Oi-nikuten, with domestic beef, slowly sauteed aromatic vegetables, and fond de veau. The Hayashi Beef is made from slowly sauteed onions, demi-glace sauce and red wine with Japanese beef born in Kobe, a city that has high standards for Western-style cuisine.

Both products are packed with Oi-nikuten's attention to detail.

Meiji Mura Romantic Beer ¥550 (tax included)

Be sure to check out Meiji Mura original beer! "Meiji Mura Roman Beer" is a beer brewed using the traditional top fermentation method. It has a moderate richness and mellow flavor from the roasted malt, and is popular among craft beer lovers.

While maintaining the traditional manufacturing methods from the Meiji era, it has also been adapted to suit modern tastes.

Recommended as a gift! "Meiji Mura Original Coffee"

Meiji Mura Original Coffee ¥380 each (tax included)

A great little souvenir is the Meiji Mura Original Coffee. The packaging features a building that symbolizes Meiji Mura.

There are three flavors: Espresso, Mild, and Standard. Each contains two packs.

In fact, it was during the Meiji period that Japan's coffee culture began to flourish.

Original goods featuring Natsume Soseki's bookbinding design

Bound notebooks ¥410 each (tax included) /Gubijin-sou tenugui hand towel ¥1,500 (tax included)

The design is based on the cover of the first edition.

Natsume Soseki is known for his many masterpieces, but he is also well-known for the beauty of his bookbinding designs. Original goods that incorporate Soseki's bookbinding designs are also very popular.

You can enjoy the beautiful images of Meiji literature through notebooks and hand towels.

Meiji Mura Limited "SL Kewpie"

SL Kewpie ¥550 (tax included)

Steam locomotives No. 12 and No. 9 continue to run at Meiji Mura from the time of their inception to the present. The "SL Kewpie," available only Meiji Mura, is dressed in a No. 12 costume.

The surreal Kewpie design is so cute, it's a must-have item for collectors.

If you're looking for a souvenir that's typical of Meiji Mura try these! "Meiji Mura Original Cookies"

Meiji Mura Original Cookies ¥1,680 (tax included)

A cookie tin with the image of St. Xavier Cathedral, a Catholic church located in Meiji Mura 5-chome.

When you open it, you'll find cookies printed with images of the stained glass windows inside the church and illustrations of Xavier.

 It is a perfect souvenir to commemorate your visit to Meiji Mura! This is a product that you can enjoy both in appearance and taste. Please taste it while feeling the church and its history.

Meiji Mura has revived Japan's first domestically produced condensed milk brand!
"Meiji Mura Kinshi-jirushi Milk Pudding"

Meiji Mura Kinshi-jirushi Milk Pudding ¥1,450 (tax included)

Kinshi Milk was launched during the Meiji period as Japan's first domestically produced condensed milk brand, and became the foundation for the development of the dairy industry in Japan.

Meiji Mura has used the revived "Kinshi Milk" as an ingredient in their pudding to develop the "Meiji Mura Kinshi Milk Pudding," a taste that can't be found anywhere else. This pudding has a gentle sweetness and a smooth texture thanks to the flavor and richness unique to condensed milk.

The packaging has a retro feel reminiscent of the Meiji era and is very lovely.

The SL-shaped packaging is cute! "Printed Cookies"

Printed cookies ¥700 (tax included)

Printed cookies in an SL-shaped box make great souvenirs. There are four types printed inside: "Streetcar," "SL," "St. Xavier's Cathedral," and "Ujiyamada Post Office Building.

Since they are individually packaged, they are also great for giving out to others.

"Shoku-dou-raku" curry is now available as a snack! "Meiji de Potato"

Meiji de Potato ¥650 (tax included)

"Meiji de Potato" is a popular crispy potato snack covered in powdered curry. It is a snack that can only be enjoyed at Meiji Mura, and is based on a recipe from the popular Meiji-era romance gourmet novel "Shoku-dou-raku."

In commemoration of the visit to Meiji Mura! "Meiji Haikara Uiro"

¥800 (tax included)

Nagoya's specialty "Uiro" is now available as a souvenir at Meiji Mura! The package has a lovely Meiji-era design and is recommended as a souvenir to commemorate your visit to Aichi and Meiji Mura.

Inside are three types of Uiro: Matcha, Azuki, and Cherry Blossom.

This time we introduced some recommended souvenirs at Meiji Mura. Please use this as a reference when you visit Meiji Mura.

*Prices current as of June 2024.