Former Shiga Elementary School with Cherry Blossoms
I visited the former Shiga Elementary School during the cherry blossom season.
I was curious to see if the building was still intact, as the gymnasium had been demolished during my previous visit.
The last time I visited there was two years ago, and when I went back, I found that a few things had changed.
1)
The road in front of the school had been constructed, and the sidewalk was now separated from the road by a guard pipe at the same height as the roadway. The road also appears to have been widened a bit.
On the right side of the gatepost, a guardrail was installed instead of a guard pipe.
This road seems to be used by large dump truck. It may be related that there is a quarry about 2 km east of the road. I occasionally saw large dump trucks when I was there.
The street view as of July 2022 shows a construction office on the site of Shiga Elementary School, so it seems that road construction was carried out last summer. During the construction period, the only way to enter the former Shiga Elementary School was through the entrance on the west side of the grounds.
2)
A warehouse was built in front of the school building. I assume it is a warehouse related to disaster prevention because of the red lamp.
The sand storage area for sandbags has also been moved a little.
And 3)
The stone monument that I wondered last time if the front and back were not reversed.
The direction of the stone monument was changed. I was happy to see it because I thought this is the right direction.
(The photos below were all taken this year, without the year and date.)
I walked through the schoolyard to the back of the school building. It is nice to see cherry blossoms blooming here and there.
The grass has been cut in the back as well, so the grounds are well cared for. I am relieved to see that Saku city seems to be taking care of it without neglecting it. It is just my own concern, I feel like I have to watch over the former Shiga Elementary School regularly.
However, while the school site can be cared for, it must be difficult to care for the buildings.
This is the oldest of the school buildings, the former Shijin School.
It looks quite distorted, and the planking on the walls is very damaged, so I am worried about what will happen to it in the future.
The Saku City Cultural Properties Office used to occupy the school building until June 2017, and the building must have been vacant since the office moved to the Komaba Office.
Although I did not check properly, the building is probably still not in use today as no one was there on a weekday.
I imagine that the site is maintained as a parking lot for the local people who use the grounds.
There are also cherry trees along the road to the east.
I think these walls could use a fresh coat of paint, but I guess that can’t be done unless they decide to use the building or preserve it.
I was relieved that the building exists and that the grounds are being cared for, but the prospects for future use of the building are probably severe.
Personally, I plan to visit the site from time to time in the future.
[Related blog articles]
“Revisiting the former Shiga Elementary School" (2021.05.11)
“Visit to the former Shiga Elementary School" (2020.09.28)