Retro Japan: Grand wooden legacy stands on former domain school site in Yamaguchi Pref.

Hagi, a city in western Japan, is home to a remarkable wooden school building with a rich history. The former municipal Meirin Elementary School, constructed in 1935, stands on the site of Meirinkan, once the domain school of Hagi. This architectural gem incorporates traditional Japanese elements while emphasizing simplicity, resulting in a striking exterior adorned with orange roof tiles, white plaster walls, and dark brown clapboard siding.

The building's entrance features columns with distinctive horizontal banding, lending an air of elegance and strength.

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a central staircase, considered the only portion of the building made with imported timber. The corridors stretching 90 meters to the left and right create an impressive atmosphere. With one of the largest wooden structures in Japan, the school was strengthened by attaching its stairwells and dust chutes to the exterior.

Diagonal bracing was integrated into all walls and roof trusses, a precaution implemented after the lessons learned from the 1934 Muroto Typhoon, which caused significant damage to school buildings.

As a registered tangible cultural property, the Meirin Elementary School remained in operation as an elementary school until 2014. Today, it has been preserved and repurposed as Hagi Meirin Gakusha, offering visitors a glimpse into the past through re-created classrooms and the opportunity to view the building's intricate roof trusses. This remarkable wooden legacy serves as a testament to the enduring beauty and resilience of Japan's architectural heritage.