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Ashikaga, Tochigi / 史跡足利学校

Ashikaga Gakko, Japan's Oldest School

Known as Japan's oldest school and a National Historic Site, restored to its Edo-period appearance; Francis Xavier introduced it abroad.

Thatched-roof school buildings and a garden with green hills behind under a blue sky
Ashikaga GakkoPhoto: Photo AC · Terms of use · Source

Last official check

25 Sept 2026

Traveler reports

0

Reports open in Phase 2

Next scheduled check

24 Dec 2026

Decide before you go

A short summary made from the official facts below. Check the rows for details.

Getting there
Train / Car
Admission
Paid (see the price below)
Closing days
Has closing days (see below)
Booking
Some things need booking (see the rows below)

Before you go

Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is listed under “Not yet confirmed”.

Opening hours

April-September 9:00-17:00, October-March 9:00-16:30 (entry until 30 minutes before).

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on a tourism board site
Closed

Closed on the 3rd Wednesday (the next day if a holiday) and December 29-31.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on a local government page
Admission

Adults 480 yen, high school 240 yen, elementary and junior high (non-residents) 120 yen (discount for 20 or more).

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on a local government page
Getting there

About 10 minutes on foot from the north exit of JR Ashikaga Station or 15 minutes from Tobu Ashikagashi Station; about 15 minutes by car from Ashikaga IC.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on a tourism board site
Parking

Use the Taiheikikan car park (40 cars, 10 coaches, free).

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on a tourism board site
Not yet confirmed

Payment, Accessibility

we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.

Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know

Address: Ashikaga, Tochigi (Japanese address: 栃木県足利市昌平町2338)

Official site: https://www.city.ashikaga.tochigi.jp/education/000031/index.html

Location

Smaller pins are other spots nearby.

Open in Google MapsGet directions

Nearby spots

Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances.

Crowds

Busiest season

The traditional Sekiten ceremony is held on November 23.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on a tourism board site
Not yet confirmed

Crowd level, Best time to visit, Peak time, Busiest days

no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.

Latest traveler report
None yet

Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).

You can check typical busy hours in Google Maps ("Popular times" on the place's page). Open this spot in Google Maps

Visiting respectfully

  • Local etiquetteThe Ashikaga tourism association offers free guided tours (book ahead for 10 or more).Checked 25 Sept 2026 on a tourism board site

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