I visited this museum while in Yamaguchi City because I heard they were holding an Inoue Kaoru exhibition (special exhibition). It's quietly located just across the Ichinosaka River.
There wasn't much to see, but I thought the 200 yen admission was reasonable. It was also great to see the recreated buildings from the end of the Edo period through the Meiji period.
You can even go inside some of the buildings. While you can't go up to the second floor, the low ceilings and tatami mats give you a sense of what life was like back then from a modern perspective.
The exterior is stylish, and it doesn't take long to get around, so it might be worth a visit. Parking can be tricky to find, so be sure to check in advance.
Yamaguchi City opened the Meiji Restoration History Museum in September 2018, adding a new reinforced concrete main building to the group of historic buildings belonging to the Bandai family, a wealthy merchant family that ran a soy sauce shop in Yamaguchi City since the Edo period.
During the late Edo period, the Bandai family supported Choshu samurai, and it is said that Katsura Kogoro, Takasugi Shinsaku, Kusaka Genzui, Shufu Masanosuke, Inoue Kaoru, and Ito Hirobumi all used this building.
Chōshu samurai stayed in Jippotei, the oldest of the three remaining Bandai family historic buildings, a late Edo period structure. Next door, Sugijuku, is where Yoshida Shoin's brother, who ran the Shoka Sonjuku school, ran a private school in the early Meiji period, and its second floor was apparently used for various secret meetings between patriots. Between Jippotei and Sugijuku is a pot garden that appears to have originated from that time. Although the trees have grown overgrown, they still maintain their beauty, balancing well with the stone lanterns and water basins.
At the back of the Sugijuku is the Bandai family's main residence. This main residence was originally built as a teahouse for the Bandai family, and at the time, the garden is thought to have been a simple open-air garden. However, the building was later converted into the Bandai family's main residence. It's likely that a dry pond and snow-viewing lanterns were added at that time, and today it is a lively garden with many scenic features.
The garden is lined with stepping stones, making it ideal for strolling, but it is more of an ornamental garden. Walking along the veranda facing the garden is designed to be a great pleasure for the eyes. The garden also presents an elegant and beautiful view when viewed through the snow-viewing shoji screens of the guest room, which also doubles as a teahouse.
Across the building from this garden is a small garden dedicated to a local deity, with a beautiful stone basin there.
The Bandai family's main residence was restored when it opened as a museum, restoring its original charm as a teahouse and showcasing the ingenious charm of traditional sukiya architecture throughout. What's interesting about the structure is that the corridors resemble secret passageways, which may have been a way for the patriots of the late Edo period to escape from their pursuers. It's a fun building to imagine such things.
(August 14, 2019)
I had a wonderful time. The female staff member's polite guidance and genuine desire for me to enjoy Yamaguchi were very much appreciated.
This is a facility run by people who love their town.
The guide was incredibly kind, sharing insider stories only a local would know as they showed us around the building where the patriots of the late Edo period spoke of their dreams. I'm so grateful. You can take off your shoes and go inside the building, and it's actually free to just look around! Amazing! The museum costs 200 yen, but it features projection mapping, calligraphy by the patriots of the late Edo period, and paintings by Hara Zaichu—truly treasures passed down through the wealthy merchant family, Bandai. It's a little outside the main tourist area, but it's a wonderful place well worth visiting. I highly recommend it!
Jippotei was renovated in September. The new Restoration Hall was built next door and houses a variety of exhibits.
It's worth remembering that this was one of the bases for Choshu patriots, who risked their lives to achieve their goals.
The building itself doesn't seem to have much value.
