Iikane Palette

The old school sits way out in the middle of nowhere, and it's a relaxing place if you enjoy that school sleepover kind of atmosphere. You can stay overnight or live there. The school building has a cafe and several shared community spaces, and there's a large parking lot. A taxi driver told me many foreigners stay there and go sightseeing in the city. The gymnasium is run-down. The room beside the stage has collapsed, and the curtains are torn and don't keep the sunlight out. Still, it's fine for dance practice and other activities. Getting there takes planning. The community bus from Gotoji Station only runs on weekdays, and the taxi ride is about 15 minutes.

I stopped by during a drive to eat and have a look around, but as a newcomer I found the place a bit unwelcoming. I'd seen it on TV, yet there was no sign at the building entrance, so I wasn't even sure visitors could go in. I wandered the hallways uncertainly, passing users moving through the corridors and old classrooms, with no one I could ask about what was going on. I eventually found the restaurant at the end of the hallway. It was hard to step inside when I couldn't see in or tell if it was open, so I left feeling unsatisfied. It would help to label the spaces at each classroom entrance or put up a guide explaining how the facility works. Unless you're local and already know the place, or you're there for a specific reason like an art project or event, it's hard to figure out how to use it when you just drop in. It made me wonder if they really want outsiders to visit.

Using a school as a venue felt nostalgic and fun. It was my first visit, and I left very satisfied. There seemed to be an event on that day, so I'm not sure what it's like on a normal day, but there were lots of things to do, including drumming, internet, games, and table tennis. Table tennis seems to be available regularly. I gave it a try, and you can play just by buying ping pong balls for 100 yen. I'd like to come back and take more time to enjoy everything 😁

I came to Iikane Palette to record "Radio Between Older Brother and Older Brother." The recording studio was nicely designed, and recording there was a great experience. I arrived a little after 3 PM on a busy day, with a packed parking lot and plenty going on. There were traces of the old elementary school all around inside. It felt refreshing to walk across the school grounds in my shoes. My room was an old classroom, as expected, and I slept on nine futons laid out on the floor. Very nostalgic, all of us gathered together. For dinner I had Tagawa's specialty, Sanzoku Nabe. The hotpot was delicious, but the Sanzoku Maki sushi roll was the standout, wrapped in something spicy with a really tasty kick. This morning I took a walk along the nearby riverbank, and now I'm writing this from a bench in the schoolyard. A real mecca for podcasts.