Kanazawa Kindergarten is located on the grounds of the Shinshu Otani-Ha Kanazawa Betsuin temple (also known as Higashi Betsuin), in the center of Kanazawa. Higashi Betsuin has stood for hundreds of years in this location, and is intricately linked to the growth and development of the city of Kanazawa. The kindergarten is arranged around a central garden that is designed to surround the main temple building and grounds. It backs directly onto the streets of Kanazawa. The single-story wooden building is fitted with extended eaves for outdoor shading and also features a traditional Japanese earthen-floor internal space. This configuration allows the children plenty of space for structured activities and free play even during the harsh winter months. The central "play hall" area can be directly accessed from the nearby shopping strip for public events. Thus the early learning center serves as a tangible link between the children and the historical Higashi Betsuin temple, the Kanazawa streetscape and the local community. Joint design: JAKUETS Co., Ltd.