Japanese School Events: Culture, Sports day, and more

Japanese schools have school wide events that don’t exist in other countries! Instead of school dances and football games like in American schools, the highlights of Japanese schooling are things like the cultural festival, sports day, and overnight field trips.  

Here are some of the Japanese school events that you should know about to better understand the culture!

Bunkasai / Gakuensai (cultural festival) – 文化祭 / 学園祭

When: Usually around November 3rd, because it is culture day in Japan.

Which grades: Middle school, high school, and some universities. Elementary schools can have a separate event called gakugei kai, which is more like a showcase of performances.

Bunkasai or gakuensai is a popular school event that makes an appearance in most high school anime and manga. It’s an event that is organized by each class that puts together an “attraction” like a cafe, game, food stand, or performance. Although teacher’s supervise the event, the students are mostly in charge and can decide on the event theme and jobs for each student. 

This is a great way for a class to build team spirit and learn how to work with their peers. Bunkasai usually lasts two days and the public is invited to come. The student’s family, alumni, and prospective students can experience what the school is like. 

Popular Bunkasai activities:

Cafes/Food Stands: Many classes decide to run their own cafe or food stand. There can be themed cafes, yakisoba stands, and more.

Performances: School clubs like to advertise themselves during this time. They will put together catchy performances. In addition, classes can also create a play or musical to perform..

Attractions/Games: Students will sometimes turn their classroom into a haunted house, create some games, or other attractions. 

Undoukai / Taikusai (sports day) – 運動会 / 体育祭 

When: Traditionally September/October, but recently some schools choose May/June

Which grades: Elementary schools call this event undoukai, and middle and high schools call the event taikusai. 

This is a major school event that takes the whole day, and parents are also invited to come and watch. Each class will take weeks to prepare for this athletic event. Various athletic competitions and games involving the whole school take place. Through this event, students can learn to cheer for each other and work together as a team.

Common Activities: 

Tug of War: A long rope is pulled by two teams, usually entire classes will compete against each other. This turns into a huge tug of war with many people.

Jump rope: The whole class or group will try to jump at the same time. This can take a huge amount of coordination.

Kumi taisou: One of the most dangerous events is a kumi taisou. This is when students try to create a giant human pyramid. 

Kibasen: Another popular game is where a student rides on the shoulder of another student and tries to take off the other pair of student’s hats.

Shintai sokutei (health check up day) – 身体測定 

When: Beginning of the school year

Which grades: Usually until middle school

Just as in other countries, many schools have an event for health check ups. This is where they measure your height, weight, and even do some athletic tests.

Shuugaku ryokou (overnight field trip) – 修学旅行

When: Varies based on the school

Which grades: Usually the second to last year of elementary, middle, and high school.

Overnight field trips are the highlight of a Japanese school experience. These are multi day trips as a class, that opens up the student’s world view and independence. Popular destinations include Tokyo for those from Osaka and Osaka or Kyoto for those from Tokyo. In recent times, many private schools opt to go abroad for these trips. Although there are some full group activities, teachers tend to let students have time to freely explore and make their own travel plans.

Oosouji (Big cleaning day) -大掃除 

When: Usually before each school term.

Which grades: Most grade levels and schools do this.

Oosouji is a traditional event that occurs across the nation. It is a big cleaning day before the New Year. The purpose is so that the new year begins with a clean slate and clean environment. In schools, a “big cleaning day” is not limited to before the New Year. It is typically held before each end of term. 

A unique aspect of Japanese schooling is that students are expected to participate in cleaning the school. This is why Japanese schools usually employ a smaller number of janitors than schools in other countries. Japanese people believe that it is important to learn how to clean and appreciate cleanliness.

Jugyou Sankan (Parents day) – 授業参観

When: Early in the school year, but varies by school.

Which grades: Usually until Middle school.

Another important Japanese school event for younger children is the “parent’s day”. Schools open their classrooms to parents so that they can see how classes operate and how their child is doing. This can put parents at ease so that they know what is happening in the classes. 

Opening/Closing Ceremonies:

Japanese people like to have ceremonies, and school is no exception. Schools in Japan typically run from April until the following March. This means that entrance ceremonies are in April and graduation ceremonies are in March. 

Nyuugaku shiki (Entrance Ceremony) – 入学式

When students enter a new school in April, there is an entrance ceremony. Older classmates and parents, observe and welcome the students into this new chapter in their lives. There are usually speeches and a school song at the end. 

Sotsugyou shiki (Graduation Ceremony) – 卒業式

Japanese graduation ceremonies happen in March. With high school graduation ceremonies, students don’t wear anything different and just the school uniform. In university graduations, students will wear formal traditional Japanese clothes like the hakama. In general, graduations have a sad feeling to them in Japan and they end with a song called hotaru no hikari (a traditional farewell song).

Shuugyou shiki (End of term ceremony) 終業式 and Shigyou shiki (Beginning of term ceremony) 始業式

Each end of term, there is a ceremony with speeches. In Japan, this is usually in March, July, and December. The beginning of term ceremonies are held in April,  August, and January. One thing to note is that Japanese schools have either two or three semesters so there are differences based on the school.

Which Japanese school event do you wish you had at your school? Many of these  Japanese school events emphasises working together as a group and you can see this in Japanese society and mentalities. If you’d like more Japanese culture blog content be sure to check out my other articles like 11 Japanese Shinto Gods and Shrines to Visit! or Japanese Weapons: Katanas, Shuriken and more! 

~ Tanuki