Celebrated in paintings, literature and films, Venice is arguably one of the most fascinating places in the world. Increasingly, however, it’s overrun by tourists, pigeons and pollution. It’s also rather difficult and expensive to get to from Beijing.

But there’s an alternative. You’re sipping a cappuccino in a cafe by a canal. Beyond the foam atop your cup, you catch sight of a gondola fading away into the distance. The colors of the scenery are those of a 16th century Titian painting. A breeze carries the notes of an old Caruso song, dissolving into echoes of relaxed footsteps on the pavement. There is neither traffic nor pollution –just happy-looking people strolling around, laden with Gucci shopping bags and ice cream cones. This isn’t a dream, it’s real: Welcome to Villaggio Italia in Japan.

True to the Japanese stereotype, the Venetian component to Villaggio Italia (Italiamura) is designed and built to perfection. It is tidier, cleaner, and quieter than the real Venice. It’s also smaller: 30,000 square meters of pure Italian style –a place to feed the eyes, the mouth and the brain with all things Italian, without even having to travel to the country.

This tourist dream came true not so long ago. Villaggio Italia was launched in Nagoya’s port district in 2005, a hyper-realistic replica of an Italian neighborhood, loosely based on Venice. Part shopping mall, part theme park, Italiamura features to-scale buildings and piazzas filled with landmarks, alfresco cafes and shops crowded with diners and shoppers. Cable broadcasts of Italian pop songs and vintage Antonioni movie posters add the finishing touches.

Flawless holiday snapshots are guaranteed here: You can frame most of your favorite Italian landmarks in just one picture. The Bell Tower from St. Mark’s Square in Venice, Michelangelo’s David from Florence and the Mouth of Truth from Rome are all conveniently gathered within a few square meters. This is why many couples choose Villaggio Italia as a backdrop for their wedding day. A package includes a wedding ceremony at the chapel, a romantic gondola ride and a photoshoot.