As Japan moved into the Meiji era, there was a sudden influx of European culture. In 1898 (Meiji 31), Yonezawa was the first to get electric lamps, and the Ou Honsen train line opened up in 1905 (Meiji 38).
　In 1916 (Taisho 5), the Baroque style Prefectural Government Building was inaugurated, and on the streets you could find photography studios, cafés and other popular new amusements opening up in the townspeople's entertainment district.
　Moving into the Showa era, with the Depression, failed harvests and war, life became more difficult.
　Clearly distinguishing the three periods of  "Civilization and Enlightenment (Bunmei-kaika) and Daily Life in the Meiji Era", "Daily Life in the Taisho Era", and "Daily Life in the Showa Era", we present scenes of the Nanokamachi district in Yamagata city, and things like a telephone in Meiji Era, and a radio from the Taisho Era.

  　 In Yamagata, a great number of local toys have been born from the lifestyle and events here. 
　Folk dolls like Sagara dolls and kokeshi dolls are displayed.

　 Here we introduce the snowy conditions of Yamagata,  which in a country with plenty of snowy regions has some mountainous areas which are closed for almost half the year.  We present how people combined their wisdom, amidst their struggles with the snow, to live generous and fulfilling lives.

In the late Edo Period, Yamagata Prefecture was known to have more than twenty places with pottery kilns.
　In the late Meiji Era, with the development of transportation networks, lots of pottery flowed in from outside the prefecture and there was a rapid decline in the number of pottery kilns. 
　We exhibit Hirashimizu district pottery which was fired during the Bunka Era (1804-1818) and some other pieces.