Elizabeth Saunders Home, Children's care facility in Oiso, Japan.
Elizabeth Saunders Home is a children's care facility in Oiso that combines residential housing with a school offering elementary and middle school education. The facility serves as both a home and educational institution for children in its care.
Miki Sawada, an heiress of the Mitsubishi family, founded the facility in 1948 on land that once belonged to Yataro Iwasaki, the founder of Mitsubishi. The location carried the weight of a major industrial family's legacy.
The home is named after an English governess who supported it generously after working with the Mitsui family for many years. The name reflects a bridge between Western and Japanese worlds built through personal connection.
The facility operates as a residential community, so visitors should arrange visits in advance rather than expecting drop-in access. The site is primarily focused on the children's daily routines and educational programs.
Former residents maintain an Old Boys club that brings together alumni and provides ongoing support beyond their time at the home. This creates a lasting community of people who share their upbringing at this place.
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