Nihon Gakuen Building No. 1: A Stately Pre-War School Building in Setagaya
Standing gracefully amid the greenery of Setagaya Ward in western Tokyo, Nihon Gakuen Building No. 1 (日本学園一号館) is a distinguished reinforced concrete school building dating from 1936. Designed by the acclaimed architect Imai Kenji — himself a graduate of the school — this three-story structure is registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property. With its imposing columned entrance and elegant modernist proportions, Building No. 1 offers visitors a rare opportunity to witness pre-war Japanese educational architecture in an active school setting, just a five-minute walk from Meidaimae Station on the Keio Line.
Historical Background
The history of this building is inseparable from the long legacy of Nihon Gakuen itself. The school was originally founded in 1885 as Tokyo Eigo Gakko (Tokyo English School) in the Kanda district of Tokyo by the prominent educator Sugiura Shigetake, along with Masushima Rokuichiro and other scholars. Its purpose was to serve as a preparatory school for the prestigious Imperial University, with an emphasis on English education and national spirit.
In 1892, the school was renamed Nihon Chugakko (Japan Middle School), and by 1899 it had become simply Nihon Chugakko. Through the late Meiji period, the school ranked among the top preparatory institutions in Tokyo, producing a remarkable roster of graduates including future Prime Minister Yoshida Shigeru and the celebrated painter Yokoyama Taikan.
In 1936, the school relocated from central Tokyo to its present campus in the Matsubara district of Setagaya Ward. It was for this new campus that architect Imai Kenji designed the iconic Building No. 1. After World War II, the school was reorganized as Nihon Gakuen Junior and Senior High School. As of April 2026, the school has been renamed Meiji University Affiliated Setagaya Junior and Senior High School, becoming a co-educational institution affiliated with Meiji University. Despite this transformation, Building No. 1 has been preserved and renovated, continuing to serve as a cherished symbol of the campus.
Why It Was Designated as a Cultural Property
Nihon Gakuen Building No. 1 was registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) on November 2, 2009. Several factors contributed to this designation.
The building exemplifies the refined reinforced concrete school architecture of the early Showa era. Its design honestly expresses the structural column-and-beam framework on the exterior, a characteristic approach of the period that balanced structural rationality with aesthetic clarity. The south-facing classrooms feature generously proportioned windows that flood the interiors with natural light, reflecting a modern educational philosophy that prioritized the health and well-being of students.
Perhaps most striking is the main entrance on the east facade. Visible from the main gate through the front garden, the entrance features a row of square columns rising the full three stories of the building, creating a dignified and authoritative composition. This entrance design conveys a sense of formality and prestige appropriate to an institution with the school's distinguished history.
Architect Imai Kenji: From Student to Designer
What makes this building particularly compelling is the personal connection between the architect and the school. Imai Kenji (1895–1987) attended Nihon Chugakko as a student, graduating in 1913 before entering Waseda University's architecture program. He went on to become one of Japan's most distinctive architects of the twentieth century.
After graduating from Waseda, Imai quickly rose through the academic ranks, becoming a professor at his alma mater. Between 1926 and 1927, he traveled extensively through Europe, visiting the Soviet Union, Scandinavia, and Western Europe. During this journey, he encountered the works of Antoni Gaudí, Ragnar Östberg, Rudolf Steiner, and the Bauhaus movement. Upon his return, he became the first person to introduce Gaudí's architecture to Japan — a contribution for which he is still celebrated.
Imai's other notable works include the Waseda University Library (now the Aizu Yaichi Memorial Museum, 1925), the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum at Waseda (1928), the Rokuzan Art Museum in Azumino, Nagano (1958), the Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum in Nagasaki (1962), and the Touka Gakudo music hall within the Imperial Palace grounds (1966). His design for Nihon Gakuen Building No. 1 represented a return to his own educational roots — a former student shaping the physical environment that would nurture future generations.
Architectural Highlights and Features
Building No. 1 is a reinforced concrete structure of three stories with a total building area of 1,118 square meters. The plan follows a single-corridor arrangement, with the main entrance facing east and the classroom wing extending parallel to the northern boundary of the site.
Key architectural features include:
- The monumental east-facing entrance portico with its full-height square columns, creating a powerful sense of arrival when viewed from the main gate across the landscaped front garden.
- The exposed column-and-beam structure on the exterior, which gives the building a clear structural legibility characteristic of early Showa-era modernism.
- Large south-facing windows in the classroom wing, designed to maximize natural light for students — a progressive approach to school design in the 1930s.
- The single-corridor plan (kata-roka-gata), with classrooms arranged along one side and a corridor on the other, allowing all classrooms to face south for optimal lighting and ventilation.
The building underwent renovation work in 1978 and again in 2005, ensuring its structural integrity and continued use while preserving its historic character. With the 2025–2026 campus renewal associated with the transition to Meiji University, the interior of Building No. 1 has been further updated, though its exterior appearance remains faithful to the original 1936 design.
Visitor Information
As Nihon Gakuen Building No. 1 is part of an active school campus (now Meiji University Affiliated Setagaya Junior and Senior High School), general public access to the interior is limited. However, the building's impressive columned entrance and exterior can be appreciated from outside the school gates. The view from the main gate through the front garden to the three-story entrance portico is particularly photogenic and offers a clear sense of the building's architectural grandeur.
Visitors interested in seeing the interior should check the school's website for any open campus events or cultural heritage days that may allow public access. The surrounding Matsubara neighborhood is a pleasant residential area with quiet streets and local shops, ideal for a leisurely architectural walking tour of the Setagaya district.
Surrounding Attractions
The school is located near Meidaimae Station, a junction of the Keio Line and the Keio Inokashira Line, making it an excellent starting point for exploring western Tokyo. Nearby attractions include:
- Meiji University Izumi Campus — just across the railway tracks, home to the university's liberal arts programs and featuring its own modern architecture.
- Shimokitazawa — a few stops away on the Keio Inokashira Line, this vibrant neighborhood is famous for its vintage clothing shops, independent theaters, live music venues, and café culture.
- Gotokuji Temple — accessible from nearby Gotokuji Station on the Odakyu Line, this Soto Zen Buddhist temple is renowned as the birthplace of the maneki-neko (beckoning cat) and features thousands of cat figurines donated by worshippers.
- Setagaya Literary Museum — located in Setagaya's Kinuta Park area, this museum celebrates the literary heritage of the ward, which has been home to many prominent Japanese authors.
- Shoin Jinja Shrine — dedicated to the Bakumatsu-era scholar Yoshida Shoin, this shrine offers a tranquil space for reflection and is a short journey away in Setagaya Ward.
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Q&A
- Can visitors enter Nihon Gakuen Building No. 1?
- The building is part of an active school campus, so general public access to the interior is restricted. However, the exterior and the impressive columned entrance can be viewed from outside the school gates. Check the school's website for any open campus events that may permit interior visits.
- Who designed Nihon Gakuen Building No. 1?
- The building was designed by Imai Kenji (1895–1987), a renowned architect who graduated from the school himself. Imai is celebrated for introducing Gaudí's architecture to Japan and for designing notable works such as the Rokuzan Art Museum, the Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum in Nagasaki, and the Touka Gakudo within the Imperial Palace.
- How do I get to Nihon Gakuen Building No. 1?
- The building is approximately a 5-minute walk from Meidaimae Station on the Keio Line and Keio Inokashira Line. It can also be reached in about 10 minutes on foot from Shimotakaido Station (Keio Line / Tokyu Setagaya Line) or about 15 minutes from Gotokuji Station on the Odakyu Line.
- What happened to the school in 2026?
- In April 2026, Nihon Gakuen was renamed Meiji University Affiliated Setagaya Junior and Senior High School, becoming a co-educational institution affiliated with Meiji University. Building No. 1 has been preserved as a registered cultural property and continues to be used on campus, with its interior renovated as part of the campus renewal.
- Are there other works by architect Imai Kenji that I can visit in Tokyo?
- Yes. At Waseda University's main campus in Shinjuku, you can visit two of Imai's early works: the former University Library (now the Aizu Yaichi Memorial Museum, 1925) and the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum (1928). Both are open to the public and showcase Imai's distinctive architectural vision.
Basic Information
| Name | Nihon Gakuen Building No. 1 (日本学園一号館) |
|---|---|
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Registration Date | November 2, 2009 |
| Architect | Imai Kenji (今井兼次) |
| Year Built | 1936 (Showa 11), renovated 1978 and 2005 |
| Structure | Reinforced concrete, 3 stories, building area 1,118 m² |
| Address | 2-735-3 Matsubara, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo (within the campus of Meiji University Affiliated Setagaya Junior and Senior High School) |
| Access | Approximately 5 minutes on foot from Meidaimae Station (Keio Line / Keio Inokashira Line) |
References
- 日本学園一号館 — Cultural Heritage Online (文化遺産オンライン)
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/120947
- 日本学園中学校・高等学校 — Wikipedia
- https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/日本学園中学校・高等学校
- 今井兼次 — Wikipedia
- https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/今井兼次
- 国指定文化財等データベース（文化庁）
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00007877
- 明治大学付属世田谷中学校・高等学校 公式サイト
- https://meijisetagaya.nihongakuen.ed.jp/
Last verified: 2026.03.29