Photo/Illutration Kenji Iijima operates Saru-sho, an event venue with lodging facilities repurposed from a closed school in Minakami, Gunma Prefecture. (Tatsuro Sugiura)

MINAKAMI, Gunma Prefecture--A surge in school closures exacerbated by Japan’s declining birthrate amounts to a lot of unused real estate over the years.

Invariably, local government officials are left scratching their heads over how to make the best use of the vacant buildings.

Many of the approximately 450 public schools that shut down each year are eventually repurposed as sports facilities, nursing homes or corporate workspaces.

But in the town of Minakami in Gunma Prefecture stands an old school building that is being seen as a model for maximizing the potential of abandoned schools.

Located in a mountainous area known for its spa resort, a former elementary school that closed in 2008 is surrounded by lush forest and boasts a playground, soccer goals and a swimming pool.

The wooden school building, bearing the sign “Sarugakyo Elementary School,” evokes a sense of more carefree days.

“It feels nostalgic, doesn’t it? The elementary school I went to was made of concrete,” said Kenji Iijima, 44, who transformed the school into Saru-sho, an event venue with lodging facilities. 

A former salaried worker from Yokohama, Iijima moved to Minakami with his family and has served as the “principal" of Saru-sho for 12 years.

Iijima first visited the small town in search of a more fulfilling existence, prompted by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster, which led him to reassess his priorities.

Iijima was immediately captivated by the building and its potential when a local inn owner showed around the abandoned school.

“I felt a sense of nostalgia and excitement, like a child again. I figured I could do something interesting here,” he recalled.

RETREATS, WEDDINGS, PHOTO SHOOTS

Saru-sho offers a range of facilities, including a multipurpose room, music room, home economics room, playground and 25-meter swimming pool.

These familiar environments from childhood often provide a special and nostalgic experience for adults.

Since opening, the facility has hosted a variety of events, from corporate training sessions and club retreats to weddings and cosplay photo shoots.

Ryosuke Sasagawa, 31, from Saitama, attended his company’s training session at Saru-sho several years ago.

After studying in the multimedia room, Sasagawa and his colleagues goofed around in the playground, made curry in the home economics room, went on a spooky midnight adventure in the school building and slept in an old classroom.

“It was an unforgettable experience where I could do all the things I wanted to do in school when I was a kid,” he said.

A 2021 survey by the education ministry showed that 8,580 schools closed between fiscal 2002 and 2020.

In the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo, Ibaraki Prefecture had the highest number of school closures with 246, followed by Tochigi Prefecture with 152 and Gunma Prefecture with 113.

Given the significant investment in building these schools, local governments are hesitant to demolish them.

“To ensure that these facilities are used for a long time, we need new ideas and the vitality of the private sector,” a Minakami official said.

Twelve years after its reopening, Saru-sho continues to welcome 4,500 or so “students” each year.

Iijima believes that school buildings, even if they evoke not only happy memories, hold a special appeal.

“We should look at abandoned schools as opportunities to create new excitement, rather than focusing on the negative aspects of a shrinking population,” he said.

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