神奈川県立橋本高等学校

Perhaps a school named after a bridge? Kanagawa Prefectural Hashimoto High School, also known as Hashimotokoko, stands right here. It isn’t named after a bridge, but rather its location in Hashimoto. The school, officially Kanagawa Prefectural Hashimoto High School, opened in 1978. The renowned singer, Man Chiaki, once taught Japanese literature here. She even composed a short song about the school. This fact alone adds a touch of celebrity sparkle to Hashimotokoko’s history. The first year Hashimotokoko opened, there was a slight hiccup. The school building wasn’t quite ready. So, the incoming students temporarily attended Kanagawa Prefectural Shiroyama High School. This was part of a prefectural plan to efficiently use classroom space. By the spring of the following year, the new building was complete. Interestingly, in 1980, students from the newly established Kanagawa Prefectural Sagamihara Sogo High School also spent a year studying within these very walls. Hashimotokoko boasts a unique tradition called the Hogyoku Festival, held every September. Beyond academics, the school emphasizes martial arts education. Boys learn Kendo, and girls practice Judo for an hour each week. This fosters discipline and respect, which are core values at Hashimotokoko. Hashimotokoko also participates in sister school exchanges with Gyeyoung High School in South Korea and Reiselopp High School in Alaska. This offers students valuable intercultural experiences. So, as you stand before Kanagawa Prefectural Hashimoto High School, remember the echoes of Man Chiaki’s songs and the dedication to both academics and martial arts. It’s a place where history, culture, and education intertwine, creating a unique legacy within the vibrant city of Sagamihara.