Sacred place of learning "Historic site Ashikaga Gakko (School)" Guardian deity of learning "Ashikaga Gakko Inari Shrine" Downtown 観光スポット・夜景  美術館・博物館

Japanese "School" and "Learning" started here. Japan's oldest school "Historic Site Ashikaga Gakko (School)"

Japan`s oldest Confucius temple

Concerning the establishment of Ashikaga Gakko, there are various stories such as the legacy of `Kokugaku`(the oldest educational institute) in the Nara period, the story of `Takamura Onono` in the Heian period, and the story of Yoshikane Ashikaga in Kamakura period.
However. when Norizane Uesugi donated books, which are now designated as national treasures, to Ashikaga Gakko and set up a president sysytem to improve and revive the school, the history of Ashikaga Gakko is revealed.
In 1549, the missionary Francisco Xavier introduced it to the world `The largest and most famous university in the eastern part of Japan`.
It is a very valuable place where it is said that Japanese "School" and "Learning" started here.

Ashikaga Gakko Inari Shrine, The guardian deity of learning in Japan's oldest school

Shoichii Reigen Inari Srine `Ashikaga Gakko Inari Shrine`

A guardian deity of learning with a history of about 500 years

Shoichii Reigen Inari Shrine in front of the "Gakko Mon (Gate)" of Historic Site Ashikaga Gakko.
Currently, it is worshiped as the guardian deitly of learning "Ashikaga Gakko Inari Shrine", and stuendts and their parents come to pray for "Passing exams and Study achievement".
It is said to have been founded about 500 years ago, and against the backdrop of various historical backgrounds, it has continued to protect the many students who study at Ashikaga Gakko and academics.
At this Inari Shrine, we also give amulet and Ema (votive horse tablets).

A seated statue of Confucious and a statue of Takamura Onono ensrined in the oldest extant Confucius temple in Japan

The oldest seated statue of Confucius in Japan

A statue of Takamura Onono, deity of learning

Passing through the `Gakko Mon (gate)` and `Kyoudan Mon` and heading towards the Taiseiden, you will find Japan`s oldest seated statue of Confucius and Takamura Onono, who is said to have been founded the Ashikaga Gakko.
Confucius is an ancient Chinese philosopher and the founder of Confuciasm.
Takamura Onono was a court noble, literary man, and scholar in the early Heian period.
He was also known as the "Deity of Learning" because he excelled in academics.

Let`s pass the exam with Amulet and Ema on which the "Plum" that doesn`t fall and "Pine tree" that your hope come true drawn

At Ashikaga Gakko Inari Shrine, give the amulet and Ema (a votive horse tablet) for prayers for passing exams and academic achivement.
Plum and Pine tree are drawn on the Ema.

At the Ashikaga Gakko Confucius Temple, you can find "Plum tree that plum fruit does not fall" called "Saikai no Fudan Bai"
After the flowers scatter and bear fruit, ordinary plums turn yellow and ripen and fall off, but this `Saikai noFudan Bai`remain green on the tree and never fall.

And the legend of "Kanafurimatsu" passed down from old times in Ashikaga Gakko.
It is a story that if you write unnable to read characters or words on a piece of paper and tie to a branch of this pine tree, Furigana is written on this piece of paper next day. (Furigana = show the reading of a chinese characters)
This `Pine tree` is said to have the meaning of `Waiting for God`

Please pass the entrance exam with this "Plum that doesn`t fall" and "Pine tree that make your hope come true" Ema !

Visiting Ashikaga Gakko Inari Shrine `Gurdian deity of learning` is free

Visiting Ashikaga Gakkko Inari Shrine is free.

Only those who wish to visit Historic Site Ashikaga Gakko can go through the `Nyutoku Mon (Gate)` and receive the `Ashikaga Gakko Admission card` and `Student ID` at the ticket office on the right, then please enter.

If you are visiting Ashikaga Gakko Inari Shrine only, please proceed to the left from `Nyutoku mon`

The amulet are pink `Plum' color and green `Pine tree' color

It is said that the amulet to pray for the exams can destow blessings on those who study hard for entrance exams and study.
It is recomended to have an amulet that feels good with your intuitivery.
Ashikaga Gakko Inari Shrine, the gurdian deity of learning, will support all of you who are making efforts with the plum-colored amulet that the fruit will not fall and pine tree-colored amulet that waiting for God.

Guidance of visiting Historic Site Ashikaga Gakko

Opening Hours 　April to September 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m（Reception: 4:30 p.m)
　　　　　 October to March 9:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m (Reception: 4:00 p.m)

Closed　　3rd Wednesday （October、November: 2nd Wednesday) 　
　　　　　 The end of the year （December 28th, 29th, 31st）
　　　　　 Temporary closed for facility maintenance

Fee 　　 Adults: Personal　420 JPY Group（More than 20）350 JPY
　　　　　 High school students: Personal　220 JPY 　 Group（More than）170 JPY
※Free for Junior high school students and younger
Free for Handicapped person who has handicapped person note (One companion is also free)
　　　　　※Anyone can visit Ashikaga Gakko Inari Shrine freely

Access　 Train / 15 minutes walk from Tobu Isesaki Line Ashikagashi Station
　　　　　　　 10 minutes walk from JR Ryomo Line Ashikaga Station

　　　　　Car / 15 minutes from Sano/Fujioka Interchange of Tohoku Expressway　
　　　　　　　　15 minutes from Ashikaga Interchange of Kita-Kanto Expressway
　　　　　　　　20 minutes from Oota/Kiryu Interchange
　　　　　　　　20 miniutes from Sano/Fujioka Interchange

Historic Site Ashikaga Gakko
2338. Shoheicho, Ashikaga City , 326-0813
Phone：+81-284-41-2655
FAX : +81-284-41-2082　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Ashikaga Gakko Official Site

Inquiries

Historic Site Ashikaga Gakko Office
2338, Shoheicho, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, 326-0813
Phone：+81-284-41-2655
FAX:+81-284-41-2082

Sacred place of learning "Historic site Ashikaga Gakko (School)" Guardian deity of learning "Ashikaga Gakko Inari Shrine" Downtown 観光スポット・夜景 美術館・博物館

Sacred place of learning "Historic site Ashikaga Gakko (School)" Guardian deity of learning "Ashikaga Gakko Inari Shrine" Downtown 観光スポット・夜景美術館・博物館