Wakakusa Gakuen

Wakakusa Gakuen (or Wakakusa Yōchien), is reportedly one of Japan’s largest privately-owned kindergartens. As of February 2007, there were approximately 340 students enrolled, as well as approximately 50 part-time staff.The name Wakakusa means “Young Grass”, and Gakuen (or Yōchien) simply means “Kindergarten.” It is the parent organization and namesake of the Wakausa English Program.

Wakakusa Gakuen is located in the city of Tamura and the town of Funehiki.  It was founded in the 1950’s as a Christian school as an outreach of Funehiki Evangelical Church. While there is no official organizational connection between the church and the Kindergarten, many of the church members are affiliated in some way with the school. The current owner and headmaster is Mr. Kōsuke Maki. 

Every year there are various Kindergarten-wide activities, in which the children perform for family members and friends. The largest of these is the annual Sports Meet (Undōkai). At the 2006 October Undokai, including family members and guests, there were a reported 2,000 to 3,000 attendees--roughly a tenth of the entire population of Funehiki. There is also an annual Christmas program and other seasonal events.