Shizutani, Bizen City, is home to the "Special Historic Site Former Shizutani School," the oldest public school in Japan.
The lecture hall, with its beautiful Bizen ware roof tiles, is designated as a National Treasure, while the stone walls and all other structures are designated as Important Cultural Properties. (It is said that they are currently aiming for registration as a World Heritage Site.)
On the slopes on either side of the stone steps leading up to the Confucius Temple stands a pair of Chinese pistache trees; every November, one turns red and the other yellow, putting on a beautiful display of autumn foliage.
They are generally at their best around mid-November, but it seems to be a bit early this year.
The light-up event began last Saturday (the 7th), and with the Chinese pistache trees and the lecture hall illuminated against the darkness, the area is filled with a magical atmosphere.
On the first day of the light-up, there were Japanese taiko drum performances and other events, and it was bustling with a great number of people.
It is about a 30-minute drive from Imbe Station and less than 10 minutes from Kawaguchi Tourakuen, so why not stop by when you are sightseeing in Bizen?