An 81-Metre Timber School in the Hills

The Chizu Town Yamagata Elementary School Building (智頭町立山形小学校校舎) is a timber elementary school building of 1942 in Gobara, Chizu Town, Yazu District, Tottori Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on July 12, 2005 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Yamagata school building seen from the road
The Yamagata school building seen from the roadUnknown author / CC BY 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

The Agency records a two-storey timber building with a sheet-iron roof and a building area of 1061 square metres; registration number 31-0091.

A Long School by the Kitamata River

The Yamagata Elementary School building stands on the right bank of the Kitamata River, east of the centre of Chizu (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is a long two-storey timber building, 81 by 10 metres, under a sheet-iron roof, entered from the long side and clad in clapboard.

Though plain, it stresses the horizontal, with windows running the whole length of its west side (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Why It Was Registered

The Agency calls it a modern timber school well preserved in the mountains, and registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.

What to Look For

Look for the windows that run the whole length of the west side of this 81-metre timber building (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Visiting

It is owned by Chizu Town (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on public access was found.

📍 Plan Your Visit to Tottori
Find tours, activities & transport passes near Chizu Town Yamagata Elementary School Building
Klook.com

Q&A

QWhen was the school built?
AIn 1942 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
QHow big is it?
AA two-storey timber building 81 by 10 metres.
QWhat marks its design?
AWindows running the whole length of the west side.
QWhere is it?
AIn Gobara, Chizu, on the right bank of the Kitamata River.
QWhen was the Chizu Town Yamagata Elementary School Building registered?
AOn July 12, 2005 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Basic Information

NameChizu Town Yamagata Elementary School Building (智頭町立山形小学校校舎)
Location238 Gobara, Chizu Town, Yazu District, Tottori Prefecture
DesignationRegistered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure)
Year DesignatedRegistered 2005/07/12 (Heisei 17)
Quantity1 building
DimensionsTwo-storey timber, sheet-iron roof, 1061 m²
OwnerChizu Town
Public AccessNo official information on access

References

Chizu Town Yamagata Elementary School Building (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00004816

Last verified: 2026.10.23