Clutching your school lunch, imagine attending Yokai Elementary School in Osaka. This isn’t a school for ghosts, despite the name. Yokai Elementary was once a traditional Japanese elementary school. It’s now part of the Osaka YMCA International School (OYIS). Children aged 3 to 14 attend classes on the Nakatsu Campus, northwest of Osaka’s bustling Umeda station. This repurposed school building serves as the heart of OYIS. While “Yokai” translates to “ghost” or “monster,” the school is filled with the lively energy of young learners. They are immersed in a bilingual curriculum, bridging cultures and fostering international understanding. Though not haunted by spirits, the school is filled with the echoes of children’s laughter. It is a place where young minds explore and grow, building a foundation for a bright future.
旧守口市立下島小学校
Shimojima Elementary School’s bell echoed one last time in March 2024. This marked the end of its 49-year history. It