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We all have a place that we cannot recall without being somewhat
nostalgic. It is the school we attended as a child. If the school
was a wooden structure, we may grow even more sentimental. Blackboards,
plain wooden desks and chairs, school lunches served in aluminum
dishes-long forgotten scenes from our childhood suddenly return
and flood us with vivid sensations.
There is a place where such nostalgia can actually be experienced.
It is Tome town of Tome city, which is famous for retaining
many old buildings and is often referred to as the Miyagi version
of the Meiji-Mura Museum.
Former Tome Public Primary School, which is opened to the public
as the Education Museum, was originally built in October 1888.
With a white balcony at the front and Greek style pillars, this
half-Japanese, half-Western building is representative of Western
school buildings of those days. It has been designated as an
Important Cultural Property of Japan. A reproduction of an old
classroom and studying schoolchildren is displayed on the second
floor of the museum.
Those interested in tasting school lunches of those days can
do so by making reservations. Rolls and bottled milk, curry-flavored
stew and deep-fried whale meat were once routine meals. Children's
songs will be played on the harmonica in the background to evoke
further nostalgia.
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The
former Tome Public Primary School is now open to the public
as the Education Museum |
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The former Tome Police building has been rebuilt as the only
Police Museum in Japan, and displays wooden jails, police uniforms
and previously used equipment. At the former Mizusawa Prefectural
Office building, built in 1871, a reproduction of court scenes
of those days is on display.
About ten old samurai residences remain along the "Bukeyashiki-dori
(old samurai residence)" street. The only Bukeyashiki open
to the public is the Shunran-tei. The old residence with a thatched
roof comes into sight as the visitor walks past the main gate.
This was formerly the residence of the Suzuki family, who came
to live in this region at the beginning of the 17th century.
Thick and solid black beams providing support, antiquated furniture
and tools, and a sunken irori hearth are some of the elements
that have a soothing effect.
Those who wish can learn how to make a "fortune toy windmill,"
which thatched roof builders used to create in their off-season
as a means to recycle bamboo waste.
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The famous Izunuma and Uchinuma marshes, where a large number
of swans migrate during the winter, are located in Hasama town
of Tome city. The marshes serve as the landmark for groups of
migratory birds from Siberia. Since the marshes never freeze
up completely and Indian rice, the swan's favorite, is abundant,
a large number of migratory birds winter here. The marshes also
serve as the breeding ground for the endangered fish Zenitanago,
or Acheilognathus typus, and over 30,000 geese including Snow
Geese and Canada Geese stop by every year. It became the second
designated wetland under the Ramsar Convention in Japan in 1985,
following the Kushiro Marshlands. This sanctuary of wild animals
is certainly worth a visit.
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