In 1977, a seed was planted. Not a literal seed, but the seed of an idea, an institution. That seed blossomed into Sakura City Nishi-Shizu Elementary School. Right here, where we stand, this school began as a branch of Sakura City Kami-Shizu Elementary. Just a year later, in 1978, the first gymnasium was completed. The school song, still sung by students today, was also established, echoing the vibrant spirit of Nishi-Shizu. Over the years, Nishi-Shizu Elementary has grown and evolved. The school expanded in 1980 with a new four-story, eight-classroom building and a 25-meter pool. Further expansions followed in 2000 and 2003, providing more space for learning and growth. Nishi-Shizu isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about nurturing young minds. The school’s philosophy focuses on fostering students who are eager to learn, think critically, and have strong hearts. Tragedy struck in 2011. The Great East Japan Earthquake damaged the gymnasium, forcing graduation and entrance ceremonies to be held at the nearby Nishi-Shizu Junior High School. The old gymnasium was eventually demolished in 2013 and a new one completed in 2014. The site of the original gymnasium was transformed into a western-style school building and a green park with a tartan track. Did you know that every ten years, Nishi-Shizu Elementary School creates a unique time capsule? In 1986, 1996, 2006, and 2016, the entire school, students and staff alike, crafted human characters to be photographed from an aerial perspective, a tradition that continues to bind the community together. Today, Nishi-Shizu Elementary boasts almost 800 students, all learning and growing within these walls. They are guided by the current principal, Makoto Shita, the fourteenth principal to lead this vibrant school.
Yamakura Dam
Here, before us, lies the Yamakura Dam. Did you know it is home to Japan’s largest floating solar power plant?