Osaka Municipal Aishu Kindergarten

Aishu Kindergarten is a public kindergarten in Chuo Ward, Osaka City, founded in 1880. At the time of its founding, kindergartens were still rare in Japan, and it was established to promote the benefits of early childhood education to the wider public. The current building, still standing today, is the third facility and was completed in 1901. It is the oldest surviving kindergarten building in Japan, and in 2007 it was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The building was designed and constructed by engineers of Osaka Prefecture under the guidance of Ministry of Education technicians, incorporating input from the head childcare teacher at the time. Notable features include high walls surrounding the site and a design with no step between the playground and the playroom. As it is still in use as an active kindergarten, interior visits are not permitted; however, the exterior—such as the dignified main gate—can be viewed at any time. The nearest station is Yodoyabashi Station on the Osaka Metro or Keihan Line, about 100 meters to the southeast. Historic sites such as Tekijuku are also nearby.