New 'Mutsu-se Hoshinosato Elementary School' to Open on Former Mutsu-se Junior High School Site in April 2026 (Inagawa Town, Hyogo Prefecture)

A New Private Elementary School to Open in April 2026

The Akebono Gakuen Educational Foundation (Toyonaka City, Osaka) and the certified NPO Cocreo no Mori (Minoh City, Osaka) have been preparing for the establishment of 'Mutsu-se Hoshinosato Elementary School' by utilizing the former site of Mutsu-se Junior High School in the Mutsu-se region of Inagawa Town, Hyogo Prefecture.

We are pleased to announce that we received official authorization from the Governor of Hyogo Prefecture on March 18, 2026, and the school is set to open in April 2026.

Educational Features 1. Six Core Concepts: Choosing / Trying / Talking / Connecting / Facing / Accepting We liken each child to a star and prioritize helping them discover their own unique identity.

2. Small-Class System With approximately 20 students per class, we provide learning tailored to each individual.

3. Learning Starting from Real-World Experience We value learning that originates from real-life experiences and interactions with the community. Through activities such as farming, animal care, woodworking, cooking, and interacting with local residents, we turn the 'Why?' and 'I want to know more!' that arise from children's sensory experiences into formal learning.

4. School Building Based on Dialogue We view teachers and students as equal learners, and rules and events are decided through dialogue.

Mutsu-se as a Field for Learning The Mutsu-se region is blessed with a rich natural environment while maintaining good access to Osaka and Kobe. As a special zone for utilizing vacant houses in Hyogo Prefecture, it also promotes migration support, making it an ideal area for 'educational migration.' We aim to operate a school that is open to the community by collaborating with existing small-scale local schools.

Mutsu-se Hoshinosato Elementary School Overview Location: 33-10 Sasao-aza-ozukuri, Inagawa-cho, Kawabe-gun, Hyogo Prefecture Operating Entity: Akebono Gakuen Educational Foundation Cooperating Organization: Certified NPO Cocreo no Mori Establishment Date: April 1, 2026 Capacity: 120 students (20 per grade) Note: In the first year, only grades 1-3 will be recruited. Official Website: [Link]