Ashikaga Gakkō

Ashikaga Gakkō is a restored educational compound in the city of Ashikaga that showcases traditional Japanese architecture with timber halls and curved tile roofs. The main hall faces a courtyard with gravel paths, while side buildings house classrooms, a library, and service quarters.

The school emerged in the 9th century and grew over centuries into a major learning center, reaching its height in the 16th century when thousands of students attended. European missionaries mentioned the institution in letters, calling it one of Eastern Japan's foremost places of learning.

The library holds original woodblock-printed texts and medical manuscripts from the Edo period, displayed behind glass cases for modern visitors to examine. Replica writing desks with brushes and ink stones sit in several rooms, showing how students copied classical texts by hand.

The grounds open daily, with hours varying by season. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as the tour involves gravel paths and requires removing footwear before entering some buildings.

An old pine tree on the grounds attracts visitors who attach small paper strips with written characters to its branches. Local lore says that practicing calligraphy near this tree improves handwriting skills.