A nostalgic space and local gourmet experience at the talked-about "Roadside Station Yasuda Elementary School" renovated from a closed school

I visited the "Roadside Station Yasuda Elementary School," which was renovated from a closed school in Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture, just over an hour's drive from downtown. What is the extraordinary experience of being immersed in the nostalgic atmosphere of the school building 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 passing through the Aqua Line from Tokyo. Today, I want to break away from the everyday and feel a little of the extraordinary... The driving destination I chose with that feeling was "Michi-no-Eki Yota Elementary School" located in Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture.

The elementary school that closed its doors in 2014 after 126 years of history was renovated the following year and reborn as a roadside station. I heard that there is a nostalgic atmosphere within the school building, and unique local gourmet products and specialties that can only be found at a roadside station, so I had wanted to visit this place for a long time.

As I stepped into the school building

As I stepped into the school building, I was first enveloped in a strange feeling of "Wow, this really was an elementary school." The hallways and blackboards remained just as they were, and simply walking through them brought back memories of the past. Scenes from sports days and cultural festivals floated into my mind, making it feel as though I had slipped through time.

The white walls and bulletin boards still vividly retain the atmosphere of that time, with a slightly cold air lingering. Every time I touched that feeling, my heart warmed as I remembered the elementary school I used to attend. As I walked down the hallway, it was as if the buzz of recess and the laughter of friends were echoing in my ears, bringing forth a mixed feeling of nostalgia and a strange sense of reassurance.

The podium and the principal's desk and chair were lined up, and I couldn’t help but stop in my tracks and gaze. Imagining the scenes of ceremonies and graduation, just standing there made me feel like my spine was standing tall. When I took a commemorative photo with the children I went with, they were overjoyed, asking, "Is this the principal's desk?" with great curiosity. I realized that the charm of this facility lies in its ability to let generations enjoy the same space together.

Enjoying the Nambōsō loquat soft-serve at cafe Kinjirō

Inside, "cafe Kinjirō" is one of the emblematic places of this facility. The statue of Kinjiro Ninomiya standing in front of the shop is something you don’t see very often these days. For adults, it stirs up nostalgia, while for children, it offers a fresh surprise. It is a place where you can immerse yourself in a mysterious sensation, as if traveling through time.

Taking a bite of the popular loquat soft-serve, the refreshing sweetness spread throughout my mouth, soothing the fatigue from the drive. After the cold sensation, the gentle fragrance unique to loquats wafted, rich yet with a light aftertaste.

It was hot that day, and the ice cream smoothly permeated my body. I couldn't help but think, "Just one more bite," making it a dish worthy of its reputation.

Inside the shop, there are nostalgic school lunches recreated as "Kinjirō School Lunch" and hamburgers made with local horse mackerel, providing a menu that both adults and children can enjoy. Even among such popular menu items, the presence of the biwa soft serve ice cream is outstanding. The taste of this specialty, enjoyed in the unusual school building setting, was a luxury that can only be experienced here.

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

Further extraordinary experiences through overnight stays and hot baths

One of the additional attractions of Yasuda Elementary School is its uniqueness of allowing you to "stay at school." The guest rooms, converted from classrooms, retain items such as blackboards and lockers, fulfilling the childhood dream of "staying at school."

When I peeked into one of the guest rooms, a large blackboard remained as is, creating an atmosphere that made me want to doodle with chalk. Although I only visited for the day, I felt a strong desire to stay overnight next time.

There is also a day-use bathing facility "Sato no Koyu," providing a refreshing environment for a break during a drive. For adults, it serves as a rest spot, and for families, it offers a chance to create travel memories, making it enjoyable in various ways.

A drive to an adult playground

Yasuda Elementary School is an unusual presence as a "roadside station." The space that coexists nostalgia and novelty on the stage of the school building can be appealing to everyone. It's amazing that you can experience such an extraordinary atmosphere in just a little over an hour from downtown. Whether you go with family or friends, you'll surely have endless topics to talk about.

It was a place I wanted to visit again when I needed to refresh myself in the busy daily routine. Even in the car on the way back, my family was excitedly talking about wanting to come back, realizing that it had become a special experience beyond an ordinary roadside station.

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

Reported and written by SYURI

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