An Army Drill Hall Turned School Gym
The Shimane Prefectural Hamada High School Second Gymnasium (Former 21st Infantry Regiment Covered Drill Hall) (島根県立浜田高等学校第二体育館（旧歩兵第21連隊雨覆練兵場）) is a former army covered drill hall of 1916 in Kurokawacho, Hamada City, Shimane Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on May 7, 1997 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-storey brick building with a slate roof and a building area of 644 square metres; registration number 32-0008.
A Covered Drill Hall Still in Use
The Second Gymnasium of Shimane Prefectural Hamada High School reuses the covered drill hall of the former 21st Infantry Regiment of the Imperial Army, and is owned by Shimane Prefecture (Agency for Cultural Affairs). A covered drill hall was a roofed parade ground where troops could train in the rain.
The Agency notes that, like the indoor gym of Hamada City No. 1 Junior High School, it is a reused army drill hall; though built later, in 1916, it is of almost the same structure and size. Standing by the prefectural road, it is widely known not only to former students but to passers-by.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes that it stands by the road and is widely known, and registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
Look at the long single-storey brick walls of the old drill hall.
Visiting
It is the gymnasium of a prefectural high school, owned by Shimane Prefecture (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official visiting information was found.
Q&A
- When was the gymnasium built?
- In 1916 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What was it originally?
- The covered drill hall of the former 21st Infantry Regiment.
- What is a covered drill hall?
- A roofed parade ground where troops could train in the rain.
- How is it built?
- Single-storey brick with a slate roof.
- When was the Shimane Prefectural Hamada High School Second Gymnasium (Former 21st Infantry Regiment Covered Drill Hall) registered?
- On May 7, 1997 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Shimane Prefectural Hamada High School Second Gymnasium (Former 21st Infantry Regiment Covered Drill Hall) (島根県立浜田高等学校第二体育館（旧歩兵第21連隊雨覆練兵場）) |
|---|---|
| Location | 3749 Kurokawacho, Hamada City, Shimane Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 1997/05/07 (Heisei 9) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey brick, slate roof, 644 m² |
| Owner | Shimane Prefecture |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Shimane Prefectural Hamada High School Second Gymnasium (Former 21st Infantry Regiment Covered Drill Hall) (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00000159
Last verified: 2026.10.22