What other travelers are saying about Former Kaichi School
Excellent heritage site. Love to see the significance of this ex school in the past progressing the development of japan during meiji era. Residential area and surrounding of the school are lovely and tranquil and its a journey by itself. Entrance fee are very reasonable around 300-500¥
Really interesting historic building right in Matsumoto close to the castle. There isn't a huge amount of English but it seemed that the key points of the building and materials were translated into English as well which was very helpful. The building itself is a beautiful combination of Japanese construction and western aesthetics that makes for a really interesting tour around the school. They do make you take off your shoes and put on school slippers, just a heads up.
It was interesting to see and read about the history of the school and the building.
As I am a foreign tourist, I would have appreciated more descriptions in English.
I think whether a place is a city of culture or not depends on the type of lord who ruled it in the past.
I think the reason why Matsumoto, Nagano has such high academic ability is because the lord originally believed that "education is important."
Education is the most important thing in life as a human being.
Had a great time there! To be fair, it built up with some fun interactions with locals, but the museum itself is quite interesting. In hindsight there wasn't really that much, still I managed to spend over an hour in that. Has a quite lovely feel to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Kaichi School functioned as an active elementary school for 87 years, from its opening in 1876 until 1963. After closure, it was converted into an educational museum that preserves the building and displays materials related to Japan's modern education system. Visitors can view original classrooms, student desks, textbooks, and teaching materials spanning from the Meiji period through the mid-20th century.
Yes, the Former Kaichi School is located approximately 10 minutes on foot from Matsumoto Castle, making them easy to visit in a single trip. Combined tickets are available with the Matsumoto City Museum for cost savings. Most visitors allocate 30 to 45 minutes for the school, allowing ample time to explore both attractions in half a day along with Matsumoto's historic neighborhoods.
The name "Kaichi" translates to "enlightened wisdom," reflecting the Meiji government's emphasis on education as essential to Japan's modernization. When the school was built in 1876, universal education was a new concept in Japan, and the name symbolized the progressive ideals of the era and the community's commitment to enlightening future generations through formal schooling.
Local residents demonstrated remarkable commitment to education by contributing approximately 70 percent of the construction costs, which totaled around 11,000 yen in 1876. This substantial community investment reflected the widespread belief among Matsumoto citizens that education was crucial for their children's futures and Japan's development during the early Meiji period.
