A Village Archive Turned Local Museum
The Mie Local History Museum (Former Mie Village Office Archive) (三重郷土資料館（旧三重村役場書庫）) is a two-storey earthen-walled storehouse at Higashi-sakabecho, Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture, built in 1916 as the archive of the former Mie Village office in Mie District and moved here in 1976, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on November 29, 2016. It is now used as a local history museum (Yokkaichi City).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a two-storey dozo-style building with a tiled roof and a building area of 45 square metres; registration number 24-0235, owned by the Mie District Federation of Neighbourhood Associations.
From Village Archive to Museum
According to Yokkaichi City, the archive continued in use for the branch office after Mie Village merged with Yokkaichi in 1954. When the Mie district civic centre was rebuilt in 1974, local people worked to save it, and it was moved to its present site in 1976.
Today it serves as a local history museum and is actively used by residents, including as a place of learning for schoolchildren (Yokkaichi City).
Why It Was Registered
The Mie Local History Museum was registered as a building that has become a model of design. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that its large windows and iron doors convey its role as an archive, and that ridge-end tiles bearing the characters for Mie keep the village office's history alive.
What to Look For
The Mie Local History Museum is a two-storey earthen-walled storehouse finished in black plaster, with a lean-to roof over the south front. On the north side, two large windows for light open on each floor, hung with iron doors (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The ridge-end tiles are marked with the name Mie, recalling the old village office (Yokkaichi City, Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
The Mie Local History Museum is owned by the local neighbourhood federation and used as a local museum, but we could not confirm official opening days or hours (Yokkaichi City). The address is 57-2 Kannagakaito, Higashi-sakabecho, Yokkaichi City; please be considerate of residents when viewing the exterior.
Q&A
- When was the Mie Local History Museum built?
- In 1916 as the Mie Village office archive; it was moved to its present site in 1976 (Yokkaichi City).
- What does the Mie Local History Museum look like?
- A two-storey storehouse in black plaster with large windows and iron doors on the north side (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is written on the ridge-end tiles?
- The characters for Mie, recalling the village office (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Yokkaichi City).
- How is the Mie Local History Museum used today?
- As a local history museum, including as a place of learning for schoolchildren (Yokkaichi City).
- When was the Mie Local History Museum registered?
- On November 29, 2016.
Basic Information
| Name | Mie Local History Museum (Former Mie Village Office Archive) (三重郷土資料館（旧三重村役場書庫）) |
|---|---|
| Location | 57-2 Kannagakaito, Higashi-sakabecho, Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2016/11/29 (Heisei 28) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Earthen-walled storehouse, 2 storeys, tiled roof, building area 45 square metres |
| Owner | Mie District Federation of Neighbourhood Associations |
| Public Access | Used as a local museum (check opening) |
References
- Mie Local History Museum (Former Mie Village Office Archive) (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00011326
- Mie Local History Museum (Yokkaichi City)
- https://www.city.yokkaichi.lg.jp/www/contents/1001000003771/index.html
Last verified: 2026.10.10