Light-up of Shizutani School

Shizutani School is the world’s oldest extant public school. The lecture-hall is designated a Japanese National Treasure, and the autumn leaves of the two 100-year-old Chinese pistachio trees are a beautiful sight. In early November, both are lit from 6-8 p.m. in the evenings.

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.