Special Historic Site Former Shizutani School

4.5

Former Shizutani School is a Historic Structure designated as a Special Historic Site. It was built in 1670 by the local feudal lord, Ikeda Mitsumasa, and it is the oldest remaining public school building in the world. In addition to the lecture hall, which has been designated a National Treasure, and in 2015, Japan Heritage designed it as No. 1 in the category Group of Remnants of Early Modern Japan’s Educational Heritage.

Spot details

Special Historic Site Former Shizutani School

Address: Okayama Bizen Shizutani 784 Map
Area: Around Bizen and Ushimado Area
Phone: 0869671436
Hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: 12/29-12/31
Fees: [Admission fee]
[Adult]400yen
[Over 65]200yen
[Small, Junior High School Students]100yen
Parking Lot: Available(300spaces)
Credit Card: Not available
Smoking: Not available
Wi-Fi: Available
English Menu: Available
Can be enjoyed even on a rainy day: Yes (Umbrella rental available)
Average budget: [Lunch] 1-1,000yen
Estimated stay time: 60-120 minutes
Wheelchair accessible: Possible (wheelchair users cannot go up to the building)
Infant friendly: Available
Pet friendly: Not available

Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN

Review

It was a much more impressive ninety minutes’ visit than we had expected.

Reviewed : 2019.06.15

The school is located in Bizen City which is in the eastern part of Okayama Prefecture. During the Edo era the Ikeda Family was the feudal lord of Bizen. Shizutani Gakkou was established in 1670 in...
Stunning architecture in serenity

Reviewed : 2018.04.19

After the April crowds in Kyoto, it was a breath of fresh air to visit beautifully maintained Shizutani school with few other visitors. The gate keeper was friendly and provided an English pamphlet...
久々に行きました

Reviewed : 2023.03.05

3月になり、天気も良かったので家族で閑谷学校に行きました。土曜日なのか人も割と多く、皆さん散歩を楽しんでいました。梅でしょうか、まだ咲いてはいませんが、つぼみがあり景色を楽しむには十分ではありませんでしたが、天気が良かったことで散歩は楽しめました。桜時期に弁当持参で訪れたいです。