Originally known as Asahi Elementary School, this building opened in 1975 to consolidate three declining schools in Yubari—Teimi, Fukuzumi, and Daini. At its peak, it housed 413 students, but by 1982, enrollment had dropped to just 60, leading to its closure.
The site was later repurposed as Family School Fureai, a public dormitory managed by Yubari Kanko Kaihatsu. However, financial troubles led to bankruptcy in 2006, sealing the building’s fate.
Today, it stands abandoned on the northern hills of Yubari, its structure deteriorating from years of exposure to the elements. Water damage, snowmelt, and neglect have left wooden floors crumbling, while vandalism and discarded debris fill its once-busy rooms.
Despite this, the school remains eerily untouched by graffiti, with only kanji markings left on chalkboards. Nature is slowly reclaiming the space, with deer and foxes now roaming the empty halls where students once gathered.
Own a piece of history. Explore the collection below.
- Location
- Yubari, Hokkaido, Japan
- Photographed
- 2016
