Oishii Gakko

Everything here was great. A closed school has been turned into a whole complex, with places to stay, shops for groceries and souvenirs, restaurants, a historical gallery, and a public bath.

We’ve been to Oishii Gakkou several times, and it’s become one of our favorite places because the food is so good. The quiet scenery makes it easy to forget the everyday rush and unwind. There’s a hot spring, and while parts of the place are a little worn, you can still relax there. The Tempur-Pedic beds are comfortable, and I love that they offer herbal tea before the bath. We stayed on the special accommodation plan.

The setting is a big part of the appeal, with the Yatsugatake Mountains behind the site and the Southern Alps in the distance. Getting there isn’t especially convenient since it’s away from a national highway or main road. The former elementary school now works like a roadside stop, with lodging, a shop selling local Yatsugatake specialties, an authentic Italian restaurant, and even a place serving nostalgic school lunches such as fried bread.

We came during a camping trip because we wanted to try the school lunch. The old-fashioned tables and chairs set the mood, and even the kids, who are used to school lunches, got excited about the aluminum dishes. The bottled Yatsugatake milk was delicious. Lunch is only school lunch, and you can pay by cash or PayPay. There were shops with souvenirs, vegetables, and alcohol, plus a bakery and Italian restaurant. A bathing facility was there too, but it wasn’t open that day.