Sights
Former Shizutani School
Bizen City
Japan’s oldest school for commoners, certified as the first Japan Heritage site
Built in 1670 as Japan’s first school for common folk, the Former Shizutani School was designated as a Japan Heritage site in 2015. Including the auditorium, a National Treasure surrounded by a stone wall, all the ceramics used for the roof tiles are Bizen pottery, traditional ceramic representative of Japan. The area around the school also offers a variety of sights with most buildings designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan, including the Shizutani-jinja Shrine. In fall, the two Chinese pistache trees on the school grounds take on beautiful red and yellow hues, making the school a popular spot for viewing fall foliage. Visitors can also enjoy a night view of the fall foliage during the limited-time event in which the area is illuminated after sunset.
Basic information
- Address
- 784, Shizutani, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture
- Access
- about 8 minutes by taxi from JR Yoshinaga Sta., about 10 minutes by bus from JR Yoshinaga Sta., and about 15 minutes by bus from JR Katakami Sta.
- Business Hours
- 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Closed
- December 29 – 31
- Admission
- General admission 400 yen; students 100 yen (elementary and junior high); seniors (65 and older) 200 yen
- Tel.
- 0869-67-1436
- Universally designed (Accessible for all people regardless of age/disabilities)
- Wheelchair accessible parking space /Wheelchair accessible toilet /Rental wheelchairs
- Website
- http://shizutani.jp/english/(English)