🗺️ Canada Museum (Old Noda House)アメリカ村「カナダミュージアム」

The Mii area in Mihama Town, Hidaka District, located almost in the center of Wakayama City and Tanabe City, was once a city where a large number of people immigrated to Canada. Starting in 1888, people began to move to the port town of Steveston, near Vancouver, and at its peak, about 2,000 people lived there. The emigrants from the Mii area engaged in fishing or forestry work in Canada, and upon returning home, they built Western-style houses in Mii, speaking a mix of English and Japanese, and brought Canadian lifestyles back to the area. Gradually, Mii became known as an American-style (more accurately, Canadian) cultural village, earning the nickname "American Village." Although the Mii area no longer retains its former appearance, the old Noda family residence, built in the early Showa period in a style that blends Japanese and Western elements (registered as a tangible cultural property), is now open for visits as the "Canada Museum," offering a glimpse into the lifestyles of those who returned. Additionally, the nearby "Canada Garden" features a totem pole gifted by Canada as a symbol of friendship, representing the local community.

You can learn about the history of Canadian immigrants in Mihama Town, Wakayama Prefecture. The Canada Museum is a Japanese-Western fusion residence built by returnees. It offers a glimpse into the Canadian-style lifestyle of these returnees. The Canada Museum also features a stylish café. Today, it continues to serve as a hub for交流 (exchange) with Canada.