What to know
The Sukodo Former School (Kyūsūkōdō) was built in the late Edo Period (1603-1867) as a school for the children of samurai from the former provinces of Iga, Yamato, and Yamashiro (parts of present-day Mie, Nara, and Kyoto prefectures). Founded in 1821, the original building was destroyed by a major earthquake in 1854. The current structure was rebuilt in the 1860s and served as a public library for most of the 20th century.
Today, the former school is preserved as a National Historic Site and is open to visitors. The spacious grounds include a large tatami lecture hall, a kitchen, a dormitory, and a couple of gardens. Sukodo offers a fine example of Edo Period architecture and interior design, with its wooden foundation, elegant screens, and tiled roof.
Sukodo Former School is a five to ten minute walk northwest of Uenoshi Station.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 9:00 to 16:30
- Closed
- Tuesdays (except national holidays); December 29 to January 3
- Admission
- 300 yen (~$1.92)
- English name
- Original name
- Sukodo Former School
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.