Pretty much all abandoned buildings have a distinct character and atmosphere, but schools — especially the older, wooden ones — have a silence all their own. A surprising serenity that the likes of homes, villages and most certainly clinics, don’t always have.
And E Elementary School, tucked away in a rural community a few hours drive from Tokyo, was no different.
Established in 1872, the school underwent various changes, both in an administrative and structural sense — including a fire in the early years that completely destroyed the fledgeling institution. The final, and now slowly crumbling building was completed in 1957, but 28 years later its last ever students graduated; the merger of 6 elementary schools the cause of its demise.
Unfortunately a clearance of sorts occurred then — or at least some time later — as several of the rooms are empty, whereas others are packed full of desks, chairs, books etc. But luckily there are still enough things left in place to provide a sense of what the school was once like. Or at least what it was once like minus the usual succession of classes and activities.
Not to mention a complete lack of children.
And like most schools of this kind, the aforementioned silence was further exaggerated by remnants of sounds that once echoed round the rooms and corridors — both of the played, and recorded variety.
The latter now only playable digitally, rather than on the turntable below.
Plus in a similar nod to changing technologies, there was the welcome treat of a couple of wonderfully retro TVs. Reminders of a time when screens weren’t black, flat and ubiquitous.
But without a doubt the real treat was the life-size anatomical figure whose body parts and internal organs were liberally scattered about the building’s most interesting room.
A fascinating presence that somehow still felt in keeping with the school’s faded atmosphere:
One that clings firmly to the past.
While at the same time still watches over the present.
June says
Good to see a haikyo again. Been a long time!
Lee says
Cheers. Yes, it had. 8 or 9 months I think. Hopefully it won’t be that long til the next one.
Lizzy says
Fascinating, indeed! What an amazing find! Having closed in the 50s, and being a rural school, it seems like it would have been fairly modern in its day. Makes me wonder how the children felt about the closure. I certainly wouldn’t mind attending class there, if the desks were a little bigger.
Lee says
It was. Like they almost always are.
Nah, the building was completed in the 50s, but didn’t close til 1985. That said, in rural Japan, it would still have been very modern. Might even be today!
Unfortunately I don’t know how many students were left in the end, but for a sparsely populated area, I imagine there weren’t many. It could have been a very quiet end.
Al says
Very interesting. Love that first TV! How did you get in?
Lee says
Yeah, those old TVs are great, aren’t they?
Simple. Just walked up, opened the unlocked door, and we were in. Doesn’t get much easier than that.
Jay says
The writing on the chalkboards seems to indicate other recent visitors (the dates at least). Could any of it date from when the school was open, or would it have faded away by now?
Lee says
Yeah, there had been quite a few visitors who had written on the various boards. But sadly nothing from anytime even near when the school closed.
I have been to other schools where former students have returned and written stuff on the board. That is really interesting. The stuff in this place on the other hand, not so much…
Zeno says
Wonder if those TV sets would still work.
Lee says
That’s a good question. The place wasn’t particularly damp, or at least it wasn’t where the TVs were, so there’s probably a very good chance they do.
Jordy Meow says
Long time no see Lee! I can tell you who wrote the chemical formulas on the black board: my friends’ daughters (they are middle and high school students). I went last year and also two years ago, the place didn’t change much in between which is a good news. But who knows for long? One of the best abandoned schools (the one we both went to) disappeared so mysteriously… Anyway, glad to know you are still around visiting haikyo and looking forward to meet you again randomly on the street 🙂
Lee says
It is. But sure we’ll bump into each other again soon!
Not a bad little haikyo, is it? Nothing special, but interesting nonetheless. And yeah, such a shame that other school disappeared. Bit like the politician’s house. Good thing is we got there before they were destroyed.
Mike says
Listening to that little audio clip and looking through these photos gave me a deep sense of nostalgia for a place I have never been… eerie and amazing.