Kaimei School: the oldest modern elementary school building in western Japan

• Table of Contents
• Where is Kaimei School?
• An elementary school building that embodies the townspeople's passion for education
• Kaimei School and the Four Seasons
• A private school that became the predecessor of Kaimei School
• Extensive educational resources
• Recreating classrooms from the Meiji and Taisho periods
• The view from the arched window
• Experience Corner
• The same but different!? Western-style school building

Where is Kaimei School?

Kaimei School is located in Uwacho, Ehime Prefecture, Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku. It is about an hour by car or JR train from Matsuyama City, and is a quiet town rich in history, culture and nature.

An elementary school building that embodies the townspeople's passion for education

This pseudo-Western-style elementary school building was built with donations from townspeople in 1882. While it uses traditional Japanese architectural styles such as karahafu and decorative tiles, it also incorporates Western elements such as the use of imported glass in the arched windows, making it a modern building that blends Japanese and Western styles.

Another highlight is the custom-made decorative roof tile engraved with the character "Kai" from Kaimei School.

Kaimei School Instagram

Kaimei School and the Four Seasons

Kaimei School shows different faces depending on the season and time. Why not try to find a view that suits your taste?

[Spring] Azaleas and Kaimei School

[Summer] Hydrangeas and Kaimei School

[Autumn] Autumn leaves and Kaimei School

[Winter] Snow and Kaimei School

A private school that became the predecessor of Kaimei School

Shingido was built in 1869 by students of the Confucian scholar Hidari Shuzan, who was the model for the Chinese classics teacher in the novel Botchan, and local volunteers who pooled their private funds to build the school, which was used as the first school building of Kaimei School. It has been designated a tangible cultural property of the city.

The name Shingido is derived from the words of the Chinese scholar Mencius, "To declare righteousness."

Extensive educational resources

The museum holds and exhibits various educational materials, such as textbooks and school diaries from the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods, to introduce the history of the school. Among the abundant materials, the wall charts are highly acclaimed, and it is said that the number of well-preserved charts from the early Meiji period is the best in Japan.

Recreating classrooms from the Meiji and Taisho periods

Classrooms from the Meiji and Taisho periods have been recreated, and visitors can experience a "Meiji class" in the classroom. The class lasts about 30 minutes, and a teacher dressed in hakama will use wall charts and other materials to teach five subjects: reading, arithmetic, moral education, history, and singing.

The view from the arched window

From the arched windows of the second floor classrooms you can see the orange roofs of the kindergarten (which also serves as a church) standing in the old townscape, allowing you to enjoy the nostalgic scenery.

Snowy scenery seen through an arched window

Experience Corner

On the second floor of Kaimei School, there is a corner where you can try on kimonos, practice calligraphy, use an abacus, etc. We also recommend taking a commemorative photo in a kimono with the view from the arched window as the background.

If you want to try on a kimono, please try out our "Kimono Time Trip" experience.

Kimono experience time travel

The same but different!? Western-style school building

Kaimei School has a sister school relationship with the former Kaichi School in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. Although both schools have the same Western-style building, they have a wide variety of personalities and charms. It would be interesting to compare the two and discover their respective characteristics, such as what is similar and what is different.