Kozuchi Kindergarten and Nishiyama Kindergarten Are Expected to Close at the End of Next School Year

Ashiya City has announced a reorganization plan for its municipal kindergartens, and 「小槌幼稚園」 and 「西山幼稚園」 are scheduled to close at the end of fiscal 2027 (March 2028).

Screenshot from the official Ashiya City website

The 「市立幼稚園の今後について」 (“The Future of Municipal Kindergartens”) document released by Ashiya City on June 22, 2026, states:

小槌幼稚園 and 西山幼稚園 will be closed, while three kindergartens will remain open: 宮川幼稚園 in the Seido Junior High School district, 岩園幼稚園 in the Yamate Junior High School district, and 潮見幼稚園 in the Shiomi Junior High School district.

The reorganization is reportedly in response to declining enrollment.

About the Two Kindergartens Scheduled to Close

小槌幼稚園

This municipal kindergarten is located in Uchide Kozuchicho, Ashiya. It is immediately north of Uchide Park (Monkey Park) and the Uchide Culture and Education Center (Uchibun), and immediately west of Uchide Tenjin Shrine.

Here it is on the map ↓

The address is 15-7 Uchide Kozuchicho, Ashiya, Hyogo.

西山幼稚園

This municipal kindergarten is located in Nishiyamacho, Ashiya, about a six-minute walk north of Hankyu Ashiyagawa Station.

Here it is on the map ↓


The address is 22-15 Nishiyamacho, Ashiya, Hyogo.

How the Decision to Close Them Was Reached

The Ashiya City School Education Council reportedly submitted its recommendations on March 12, 2026. Following six rounds of deliberations, the reorganization plan was presented with the aim of maintaining and improving the quality of early childhood education and care while acknowledging the reality of declining enrollment.

After further consideration based on the recommendations, the Board of Education announced its plans on June 22, 2026. Following the reorganization, greater emphasis will apparently be placed on improving “transition-stage education,” which bridges early childhood and elementary school education.

What Will Happen to the Children After the Kindergartens Close?

According to the published documents, enrollment at the two closing kindergartens for the next academic year (fiscal 2027) will be offered conditionally to four-year-olds. Those children are then expected to transfer to another kindergarten as five-year-olds in the following academic year (fiscal 2028), after the closures.

The Future of Municipal Kindergartens

The plan is to consolidate services at the three remaining municipal kindergartens. Each of the remaining kindergartens will have a “transition-stage coordinator”, who will help children transition from local kindergartens, nursery schools, and certified childcare centers to elementary school.

For more details, see the published document 「市立幼稚園の今後について」 (“The Future of Municipal Kindergartens”) (PDF).

Information Sessions Will Be Held

Information sessions for parents and local residents are scheduled to be held in July 2026. The full schedule is available under “令和8年7月_説明会日程” on the official Ashiya City website, so be sure to check it out if you’re interested.

In Closing

This may be significant news for the children currently attending these kindergartens, their parents, and local residents. Please check the PDF on the official Ashiya City website or attend an information session for further details. For inquiries, contact the Administration Section of the Education Administration Office, Ashiya City Board of Education (Tel: 0797-38-2085).

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