Houses for Youth are categorized into two types. One has a lodging program that develops
sound-minded youth through group stays; the other is without lodging but aims at building
friendship and communication among the youth through study, sports, and cultural activities.
There are national and public houses. To celebrate the wedding of the crown prince, the present
Emperor, in 1959, Houses for Youth started to be established. There have been 13 houses
established across the nation since 1976. As a part of the centennial anniversary of the
Education Ordinance, 14 Children’s Nature Houses have been established since 1991. The
National Olympics Memorial Youth Center, named after the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, is the
leading institution with a capacity of 1500 lodgers. Children's nature houses always provide
lodging so that children may appreciate and enjoy nature, and be cultivated through the
experience of a group stay. The National Institution for Youth Education has managed all types
of facilities since 2006.