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Former Shizutani School

The oldest public school in the world opened in a quiet valley.

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This public school was opened for common citizens in 1670 by Okayama Domain’s lord, Ikeda Mitsumasa. It aimed to educate local people, not only samurais but also common citizens. In 1701, his subordinate, Nagatada Tsuda, spent over 30 years to complete the “Hall of Education” which had almost the same exterior as the current building.

Former Shizutani School’s assembly hall is designated as a national treasure. The gabled, hipped roof and the flower-topped windows are impressive on the exterior. The original thatched roof was changed to Bizen tiles during a remodeling. Today, the spacious Lecture Hall sustained by 10 zelkova pillars is used for the traditional study of Confucius, with students neatly sitting on the floor.

Seibyo (Sacred Hall) honors Confucius who started the teaching of Confucian, and holds a golden statue of Confucius which is shown to the public for a few days a year. Two grand pistache trees in front of the Sacred Hall were grown from the seeds in the forest of Qufu in Shandong, China. In fall, their leaves turn into blazing yellow and red.

There is a shrine which reveres the founder Ikeda Mitsumasa, as well as a museum in the school building set up in 1905 where you can see the treasured information on Former Shizutani School.

Highlights

  • The oldest public school in the world opened for common people.
  • The national treasure, Lecture Hall, with the impressive reddish Bizen tile roof.
  • The Sacred Hall with a golden Confucius statue and a museum are close by.

Photos

  • The sturdy looking Lecture Hall with the bright Bizen tile roof
*Photo provider: Former Shizutani School

    The sturdy looking Lecture Hall with the bright Bizen tile roof *Photo provider: Former Shizutani School

  • The spacious Lecture Hall
*Photo provider: Former Shizutani School

    The spacious Lecture Hall *Photo provider: Former Shizutani School

  • The Lecture Hall viewed from a stone bridge
*Photo provider: Former Shizutani School

    The Lecture Hall viewed from a stone bridge *Photo provider: Former Shizutani School

  • The Lecture Hall with a stone wall
*Photo provider: Former Shizutani School

    The Lecture Hall with a stone wall *Photo provider: Former Shizutani School

  • The Lecture Hall by the pistache trees and the Sacred Hall
*Photo provider: Former Shizutani School

    The Lecture Hall by the pistache trees and the Sacred Hall *Photo provider: Former Shizutani School

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Details

Name in Japanese
旧閑谷学校
Postal Code
705-0036
Address
784 Shizutani, Bizen City, Okayama
Telephone
0869-67-1436 (The historical site reception desk)
Holiday
December 29th-31st
Hours
9:00am-5:00pm
Admission
Adult 400 yen, Middle school / Elementary student 100 yen, Age 65 or older 200 yen
*Those who show the disability certificate: Free
Directions
1) From JR Yoshinaga Station, ride the city bus to Shizutani School Stop. The school is close by. (10 min, by taxi)
2) From JR Bizen-Katakami Station, ride the city bus to Shizutani School Stop. The school is close by. (13 min, by taxi)
*Check details of the city bus
Credit Cards
Not accepted
Official Website
Official Website (English)