A nostalgic space and local gourmet experience at the trendy "Roadside Station Yasuda Elementary School" renovation of a closed school

Just over an hour's drive from the city center, I visited the "Roadside Station Yasuda Elementary School" in Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture, which was renovated from a closed school. What is this extraordinary experience where you can immerse yourself in the nostalgic school atmosphere while enjoying the famous loquat soft serve?

Driving to Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture in search of the extraordinary

About 1 hour and 15 minutes by car after exiting the Aqua Line from Tokyo. Today, I want to break away from the everyday and feel a little bit of the extraordinary... The destination I chose with that feeling was "Michi no Eki Yota Elementary School" located in Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture.

An elementary school that closed its doors after 126 years of history in 2014 was renovated the following year and transformed into a roadside station. I had heard that there was a sense of nostalgia from the school building and encounters with local gourmet food and specialty products unique to the roadside station, and I had wanted to visit it for a long time.

As soon as I stepped into the school building

As soon as I stepped into the school building, I was enveloped by a strange feeling of "This was really an elementary school." The hallways and blackboards remained as they were, and just walking through them evoked memories from the past. Scenes of bustling sports days and cultural festivals floated to my mind, and it felt almost like a time slip.

The white walls and bulletin boards still vividly reflect the atmosphere of the time, and a slightly chilly air lingers. Every time I encounter that sensation, I remember the elementary school I used to attend, and my heart warms up. As I walk down the hallway, it feels as if the buzz of break time and the laughter shared with friends come back to life right next to me, creating a mix of nostalgia and a strange sense of security.

The podium and the principal's desk and chair are lined up, making me stop in my tracks and gaze at them. Just imagining the ceremony and graduation scenes gives me a feeling that my back straightens simply by standing there. Taking commemorative photos with the children I went with delighted them greatly, and they asked with keen interest, "Is this the principal's desk?" I realized that the charm of this facility lies in the ability to enjoy the same space across generations.

Enjoying the Boso loquat soft-serve ice cream at cafe Kinjiro

The "cafe Kinjiro" in the building is one of the symbolic places of this facility. The statue of Kinjiro Ninomiya standing in front of the shop is something we rarely see nowadays. For adults, it evokes nostalgia, while for children, it brings fresh surprise. It’s a place where you can immerse yourself in a strange feeling as if you are traveling through time.

Taking a bite of the popular loquat soft-serve ice cream, a refreshing sweetness spreads throughout my mouth, easing the fatigue of the drive. After the cool texture, the unique gentle aroma of loquat lightly wafts through, rich yet leaving a light aftertaste.

It was hot on this day, and the ice cream melted smoothly into my body. I couldn't help but stop my hand as I thought, "Just one more bite," making it a dish worthy of its fame.

Inside the store, there is a menu featuring nostalgic school lunches called "Kinjirou School Lunch," as well as burgers made with local horse mackerel, offering a range of options for both adults and children to enjoy. Even among such popular items, the presence of the loquat soft serve ice cream was outstanding. The taste of this specialty, enjoyed in the extraordinary school building setting, was a luxury that could only be experienced here.

cafe Kinjirou
Business hours / Weekdays 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on Wednesdays

Enjoying further extraordinary experiences with accommodation and hot baths

One of the additional charms of Yatsuda Elementary School is its uniqueness in allowing guests to "stay in a school." The guest rooms, converted from classrooms, still have blackboards and lockers, fulfilling a childhood dream of "staying in a school."

When I actually peeked into the guest room, the large blackboard remained just as it was, creating an atmosphere that made you want to doodle with chalk. Although I only visited for the day, I felt that I definitely wanted to stay next time.

There is also a day-use bathing facility called "Sato no Koyu," providing an environment to enjoy a refreshing break during a drive. It seems to offer a wide range of enjoyment for adults as a resting spot and for families as a travel memory.

A drive-in adult playground

Yasuda Elementary School is an unusual presence as a "roadside station." The space where nostalgia and novelty coexist, set on the school grounds, is likely appealing to everyone. To think that such an extraordinary experience can be enjoyed with just over an hour's drive from the city center. Whether you go with family or friends, there's sure to be no shortage of conversation.

It was a place I wanted to visit again when I wanted to refresh myself amidst a busy daily life. Even in the car on the way back, my family excitedly talked about wanting to come again, and I realized it had become a special experience that surpassed an ordinary roadside station.

Roadside Station Yasuda Elementary School
Location / 724 Yasuda, Kyonan Town, Awa District, Chiba Prefecture
TEL / 0470-29-5530

Interview and text / SYURI

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