町田市立 相原小学校

Tucked away in the Machida City landscape sits the Aihara Elementary School. Don’t let its unassuming presence fool you. Aihara Elementary holds a captivating history. Its story begins in a borrowed classroom at the Chofukuji Temple. This was way back in 1874. The school, then known simply as “Aihara School,” marked a new era of education. Imagine those early days, filled with the hopes of a community investing in its children’s future. Just eight years later, in 1882, a new school building arose in the Nakamura district. This was about 800 meters east of Chofukuji Temple. This new location was fondly nicknamed “Hattan Gakko.” As the village of Aihara merged with its neighbor to form the village of Sakae in 1889, the school continued to evolve. In 1893, it was renamed Aihara Island Regular Elementary School. By 1909, the school moved again, this time to the Yokoyama district. This is where Aihara Elementary School stands today. The name changes continued, reflecting the shifts in Japanese society. It became Aihara National School in 1941 and Sakae Village Aihara Elementary School in 1947. Finally, with the formation of Machida City in 1958, it became the Machida City Aihara Elementary School we know today. As you stand here, before the modern Aihara Elementary School, remember those early students who climbed the stone steps to Chofukuji Temple. Their thirst for knowledge laid the foundation for this thriving institution. Today, Aihara Elementary School boasts a modern campus. It continues to nurture young minds, carrying forward the legacy of those who came before. The school’s journey from a borrowed temple classroom to its current location represents a testament to the enduring power of education.