Nihon Go Gakko
historic place
Nihon Go Gakko, also known as the Japanese Language School, is a historic place in Seattle, King County. Established in 1902, it began as Kokugo Gakko, becoming the oldest Japanese language school in North America. Its first class, led by Yoshio Shibayama, had four students. In 1913, the school moved to its current location at Weller and 16th Street, with a dedicated building erected that year. The Seattle Japanese community funded an expansion in 1918. By 1930, the school had grown to 24 teachers and over 1,000 students. At its peak, nearly 2,000 students attended. In 1938, evening classes for adults were introduced. During World War II, the U.S. military occupied the school, using it as an Army Air Force training facility. After the war, the building served as a hostel for returning Japanese Americans. Nihon Go Gakko was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Today, it continues to operate as part of the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington, promoting Japanese language and culture. This site represents a significant chapter in the history of Seattle's Japanese American community.