A Great Timber School of 1933
The Nagai Elementary School First Building (長井市立長井小学校第一校舎) is a full two-storey timber school building built in 1933 beside the city hall at Mamanoue, Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on January 8, 2009. It is now used as a centre for learning and community life called the Former Nagai Elementary School First School House (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Former Nagai Elementary School).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as two storeys of timber with a tiled roof and a building area of 1,157 square metres, renovated in 1989; registration number 06-0111, owned by Nagai City.
A School Built by Local Supporters
According to the facility, the school was built in 1933 at the call of local supporters and watched over generations of children. A timber school of this size was rare nationwide even then.
It served as a school until 2015, was renovated with earthquake strengthening, and reopened on April 27, 2019 as Nagai's hub for learning and community (Former Nagai Elementary School).
Why It Was Registered
The Nagai Elementary School First Building was registered as a building that contributes to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs praises it as a carefully built timber school in the Stick Style, with stairs and other interior fittings well preserved.
What to Look For
The Nagai Elementary School First Building is a long full two-storey timber building, 93 metres by 11 metres, running east to west under a gabled pantiled roof, symmetrical about a gabled central entrance (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The facility highlights its vivid reddish walls, grand central staircase and long corridors with boat-bottom ceilings. Inside are an exhibition corner, a children's space and a cafe (Former Nagai Elementary School).
Visiting
According to the facility, the Nagai Elementary School First Building opens from 9:30 to 21:30 and closes on Mondays (the next day if a holiday) and from December 29 to January 3. Use the city car park or the Kawa no Minato Nagai roadside station car park.
The address is 5-3 Mamanoue, Nagai City, about 10 minutes' walk from Nagai Station on the Yamagata Railway Flower Nagai Line. Telephone 0238-87-1802.
Q&A
- When was the Nagai Elementary School First Building built?
- In 1933, at the call of local supporters (Former Nagai Elementary School).
- How big is the building?
- 93 by 11 metres, with a building area of 1,157 square metres, in two full timber storeys (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is distinctive about its architecture?
- A symmetrical front around a gabled entrance, carefully built in the Stick Style (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How is the building used today?
- Since 2019 as a centre for learning and community, with displays and a cafe (Former Nagai Elementary School).
- When was the Nagai Elementary School First Building registered?
- On January 8, 2009.
Basic Information
| Name | Nagai Elementary School First Building (長井市立長井小学校第一校舎) |
|---|---|
| Location | 5-3 Mamanoue, Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2009/1/8 (Heisei 21) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, 2 storeys, tiled roof, building area 1,157 square metres |
| Owner | Nagai City |
| Public Access | Open 9:30 to 21:30, closed Mondays |
References
- Nagai Elementary School First Building (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00007445
- Former Nagai Elementary School First School House (official website)
- https://kyunagaisho.jp/
- About the facility (Former Nagai Elementary School First School House)
- https://kyunagaisho.jp/about/
Last verified: 2026.10.11