自転車で京都大学吉田寮On the edge of Kyoto University's main Campus is a legendary dormitory. It is barely habitable - but very much inhabited.
The Yoshida Dormitory was built in 1913, and appears never to have been repaired since.
From its inception, it was self-administering through a dormitory association (寮自治会). This means that the residents - students - select who can live in the dorm. That continues more or less to this day.
In 1971, however, the Ministry of Education initiated a policy of regulating and or closing such dormitories because they were perceived of as being hotbeds of radicalism and trouble.
Kyoto University itself attempted to close the dorm in 1979 - failed - but did manage to close down nearby Western Yoshida dormitory.
Today the dorm is still standing, if barely. It does have Internet connections and electricity, but little else in the way of modern amenities.
The university continues in its attempts to tear down the structure and replace it.
The dorm today is co-ed and has been since 1985. Foreign students have resided in the dorm since 1990.
The cost of rent is 2,500 yen (about $31) a month, which covers utilities. This is probably not much different than what residents paid half a century ago.
It is also possible to stay - on a filthy floor - for 200 yen a night.
Directions
The dormitory is at the corner of Higashi Oji and Konoe Dori. From the Kyoto University Hospital, go north on Higashi Oji Dori, cross at Konoe Dori.
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1 comment:
Amazing!
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