“Imagine being a student here,” I say, gesturing towards Niiza High School. This isn’t just any high school. It’s a place with a story that stretches back to the middle of the last century.
Niiza High School began its journey in Ikebukuro in 1948. Back then, it was known as Rikkyo Senior High School. A significant change occurred in 1960. The school moved to a brand-new campus here in Niiza. In 1963, the school chapel was built. Antonin Raymond designed this building.
In 2000, the school underwent another transformation. It was renamed Rikkyo Niiza Senior High School. A junior high school program was created on the same campus. This mirrored the setup in Ikebukuro, where Rikkyo Ikebukuro Junior and Senior High School offered a six-year program. The current main buildings, St. Paul’s Field, and the gymnasium opened in 2014.
Since 1990, the Niiza campus has also served as a secondary campus for Rikkyo University students. Specifically, first and second-year undergraduates study here.
Niiza High School boasts some famous alumni. Hiroshi Sugimoto is a renowned photographer. Oji Hiroi is a video game developer. Nariaki Obukuro is a singer. Nobuhide Tachi made his name as a racing driver. Baseball fans might recognize Kazushige Nagashima, Kenji Tomura, and Takayuki Takabayashi.
In the world of performing arts, Hiroshi Sekiguchi shines as an actor. Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi were key members of Yellow Magic Orchestra. Motoharu Sano is a well-known musician, and Taro Yamaguchi lends his voice as a voice actor. Akihiko Honda is a boxing promoter.
Niiza itself is a city with its own interesting history. It is located in Saitama Prefecture. Niiza is a suburb of Tokyo. The city has a population of over 166,000 people. Niiza has been settled since prehistoric times. In 758 AD, immigrants from Silla settled here.
As you stand before Niiza High School, consider its journey. From its beginnings in Ikebukuro to its current form as a combined junior and senior high school and university campus. Niiza High School continues to shape the lives of its students.