Obayashi seishin joshigakuin shōgakkō/chūgakkō/kōtogakkō

Obayashi Seishin Joshigakuin is a Catholic girls' school in Takarazuka that brings together elementary, middle, and high school divisions on a connected campus at the base of the mountains in Hyogo Prefecture. The grounds include several school buildings, a chapel, and sports facilities, surrounded by greenery that marks the transition between the urban area and the natural landscape.

The school was founded in 1923 as part of the international network of Sacred Heart Schools, bringing Catholic education for girls to Japan. Over the course of a century, it has remained true to its founding mission while adapting to changes in the Japanese education system.

The campus combines Catholic chapels with Japanese architectural features, creating a space where students move between both traditions. Morning prayers and seasonal events follow a calendar that weaves together Western religious observances with Japanese school rituals.

The school sits in a quiet residential area, reachable on foot or by local bus from the center of Takarazuka. Visitors should note that access to the campus is limited during school hours, and advance contact with the administration is recommended.

A former student later became empress, marking the first time a commoner entered the Japanese imperial family. This fact made the institution a symbol of social change in postwar Japan.