Ashikaga Gakko

Area

Ashikaga

Category

Educational tour

The Ashikaga Gakko, in southwestern Tochigi prefecture, is the oldest school in Japan. Though the exact date of establishment is unknown, it is said to be built in the early to mid 1400s. Students from all over Japan gathered at Ashikaga Gakko to study Confucianism. When missionary Saint Francis Xavier visited the school in the 1500s, he noted it as the largest and most famous school in Japan. The only existing buildings of the school are the school gate and the Confucian temple. On Sundays between April and July and September and November, a Confucian read aloud session is held.

Basic Information

Address

2338 Shohei-cho, Ashikaga-shi, Tochigi

Phone

0284-41-2655

Hours

Apr. to Sep.: 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. (last entry at 4:30p.m.)
Oct. to Mar.: 9:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. (last entry at 4:00p.m.)

Closed

Every third Monday (following weekday if Monday is a public holiday) and year-end holidays (Dec. 29 - Dec. 31)

Fee

General: ¥420
High school students: ¥210
Junior high school student and below: free

Website

http://www.city.ashikaga.tochigi.jp/site/ashikagagakko/

Access

FromAshikaga Station (JR Ryomo Line)
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about a 10-minute walk
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Tags of this spot

School