From the fun bell to the cozy hotel; How did the abandoned schools of Japan become the savior of the villages?

With 450 schools closing each year in Japan due to population decline, these abandoned buildings are now being repurposed as attractive accommodation for tourists. The morning light shines through the high windows of the classroom and illuminates the row of wooden desks; A place where students used to practice the alphabet; But today, instead of the noise of children, these classes host travelers who have gone to the mountains in search of peace and a different experience from Japanese rural culture. (BBC)

Photographer: Unknown / Hare to Ke

Here is “Hare to Ke”; A former elementary school turned into a cozy guesthouse on the island of Shikoku. This school, which had more than 500 students in 1945, was closed in 2005 after reducing the number of students to only five. But the story of this building did not end and now it is a symbol of Japan’s efforts to revive rural areas.

Japan struggles with one of the lowest birth rates in the world and a rapidly aging population. According to official statistics, the population of this country decreases by nearly 900,000 people every year, and young people leave for work and life in big cities. The result of this migration is the closure of about 450 schools every year.

Photographer: Unknown / Hare to Ke

The city of Miyoshi is no exception to this rule. The population of this city has decreased from about 77,000 people in 1955 to 20,000 people and 40% of its residents are over 65 years old. The local authorities, faced with dozens of empty schools, decided to give a new soul to the body of Badmand city by changing the use of these spaces.

After visiting Miyoshi and seeing the natural potential of the area, Tokyo-based designer Shuko Uemoto decided to revive Deai Elementary School.

Photographer: Unknown / Hare to Ke

With the support of local people, he converted the school into a residence that offers facilities such as a sauna with a view of the forest, local food and rooms in classrooms.

One of the distinctive features of this residence is the “Sleep Trip” program. Inspired by the deep silence of the mountains, the program includes custom herbal teas, aromatherapy and soothing sounds of nature to provide guests, especially city dwellers who suffer from insomnia, with a deeply relaxing experience.

Photographer: Unknown / Hare to Ke

Passengers here not only sleep in a converted classroom, but also learn about traditional concepts of time in Japanese culture and connect with the gentle rhythm of nature. This new trend seems to be a smart way to preserve Japan’s cultural heritage and rural architecture; A way that creates a sustainable future for small towns, not by destroying, but by recreating the memories of the past.

Photographer: Unknown / Hare to Ke

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Cover photo source: Hare to Ke | Photographer: Unknown