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      • Beppu
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    • Famous Foods >
      • Bungo beef
      • Toriten (Chicken Tempura)
      • Chicken Karaage (Deep Fried Chicken)
      • Horse Mackerel
      • Fugu (Blowfish)
      • Shiroshita Karei (Marbled Flounder)
      • Kabosu fed Amberjack and Halibut
      • Hamo (Conger Pike)
      • Ayu (Sweetfish)
      • Japanese Spiny Lobster
      • Hyuga Don (Tuna Donburi)
      • Sea Bream Ochazuke
      • Oysters
      • Suppon (Softshell Turtle)
      • Cutlass Fish
      • Kuruma shrimps (Tiger prawns)
      • Hitan Sushi
      • Saiki Sushi
      • Beppu Reimen
      • Yakisoba
      • Bungo-takada Soba (Buckwheat noodles)
      • Jigoku Mushi (Hell Steamed Food)
      • Jigoku Mushi Custard Pudding
      • Kokonoe Yume Burger (Kokonoe Dream Burger)
      • Dango jiru (Dumpling Soup)
      • Sake (Japanese Alcohol)
      • Kanta-kun (Sweet potatoes)
      • Kabosu citrus
      • Shiitake Mushroom
    • Festivals and Events >
      • Complete List of Festivals and Events
      • Ajimu Wine Festival
      • Awashima Park Flower Festival
      • Beppu Hatto Hot Spring Festival & Fire Festival
      • Beppu Hi no Umi Festival (Ocean Fire Festival)
      • Christmas Hanabi Fantasia (Christmas Fireworks Festival)
      • Eat Beef and Scream
      • Gaman Taikai
      • Hiji Curry Rally
      • Himeshima Bon Odori
      • Hina Doll Tour, Hiji Castle Town
      • Hina Doll Tour, Usuki
      • Hita Gion Festival
      • Hita Kawabiraki Tourism Festival (Hita Kankousai)
      • Hita Sennen Akari Festival
      • Hita Tenryo Festival
      • Horan Enya (Fisherman's Festival)
      • Japan Fairy Tale Festival
      • Kamegawa Summer Festival
      • Karaage Festival
      • Kebesu Festival
      • Kitsuki Castle Festival
      • Kitsuki Castle Town Walk and Hina Doll Tour
      • Kitsuki Moon Viewing Festival (Lantern Festival)
      • Koton Village Sakura Festival
      • Nakatsu Gion Festival
      • Nakatsu Hina Doll Festival
      • Oita International Wheelchair Marathon
      • Oita Tanabata (including Funai Pacchin Festival)
      • Oka Castle Cherry Blossom Festival
      • Oka Castle Town Hina Doll Festival
      • Onta Pottery Festival (Onta-yaki Mentousai) Autumn
      • Onta Pottery Festival (Onta-yaki Mentousai) Spring
      • Oonogawa Battle Festival
      • Sanko Cosmos Festival
      • Shimanawa Rope Tying (Sacred Straw Rope Tying)
      • Shiroshita Karei Festival
      • Shujo Onie
      • Stone Buddha Fire Festival
      • Taketa Bamboo Festival
      • Taketa Ice-cream Rally
      • Tenjin Festival
      • Tenryo Hita Doll Festival
      • Tsukumi Minato Festival (Tsukumi Port Festival)
      • Tsukumi Traditional Fan Dance
      • Tulip Festa
      • Usa Mikoshi Festival (Usa Summer Festival)
      • Usuki Gion Festival
      • Usuki Takeyoi (Lantern Festival)
      • Wakamiya Hachiman Naked Festival
    • Onsen Culture >
      • What to expect
      • What to do
      • What to bring
      • Onsen Map
    • Meijiron
    • Sightseeing in Oita >
      • Nature >
        • Chinda Falls
        • Harajiri Falls
        • Himeshima - Hime Island
        • Honjyo Water wheel
        • Izumi Stone Caves
        • Jigoku Meguri - the Hells Tour
        • Kuju Mountain Range
        • Kunisaki-Kitsuki Cycling Road
        • Matama Beach
        • Mt Tsurumi
        • Mt Yufu - Yufudake
        • Olle Hike, Asaji - Taketa
        • Onagara Limestone Cave
      • Historical Sites >
        • Funai Castle Ruins
        • Hachimenzan Peace Park
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        • Nakatsu Castle
        • Nioza Historical Road
        • Oka Castle Ruins
        • Samurai Residences
        • Showa Town - Showa no machi
        • Usuki Stone Buddhas (National Treasure)
      • Temples and Shrines >
        • Bungo Futamigaura
        • Futago-ji
        • Fugen Temple - Fugen-ji
        • Gyoran no taki - Kappa Temple
        • Komo Shrine
        • Rakan Temple - Rakan-ji
        • Usa-jingu - Usa Shrine
      • Onsens and Spas >
        • Beppu Hatto Onsen
        • Hiji Spa Resorts
        • Kokonoe Yume Onsen Village
        • Nagayu Onsen
        • Yufu Ryokans
      • Theme parks and attractions >
        • Fundokin Soy Sauce Factory
        • Harmonyland
        • Kitsuki Historical Museum
        • Kitsuki Kimono Rental
        • Kokonoe Yume Suspension Bridge
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        • OPAM - Oita Prefectural Art Museum
        • Sapporo Beer Factory
        • Shuraku-kan Theatre
        • Totoro Bus Stop
        • Umitamago Aquarium and Takasakiyama Monkey Park
        • Yaeko Nogomi Memorial Museum
      • Artisan Skills and Crafts >
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    • Travelling outside Oita >
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        • Oita Castle Ruins Park
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    • FAQ

School Events

Sports Day - 運動会

The school's Sport's day (Undoukai, 運動会) is a major school event and normally occurs at all school levels - even Kindergarten. While the day itself varies slightly between schools. Many schools in Oita hold their Sport's day either at the beginning of the year in Spring /first semester or at the end of the year in Autumn/second semester.

The day itself is normally held on a weekend to allow friends and family members to attend. Sometimes local associations will also attend and participate, for example at one of my schools the local volunteer firefighter association participated in a novelty race. At the same school their were also community events - including tug-of-war and a ball toss game. Sometimes Sport's day's can also include demonstrations or presentations by other school clubs. 

Students are normally divided into teams, and depending on the size of the school this may involve multiple teams. Teams are normally named after colours, i.e. red, white, blue, yellow, green, etc. However typically most schools have at least at Red and White team. 

Teams will make up their own cheers and may even have a cheer squad to support the competing students. Sometimes a team will have a team captain, who leads the cheers. At some schools, different year levels may also have performances between events, which can include traditional dances, Taiko drumming and more. 

While the day itself includes more traditional track and field events like relay races. There are also tug-of-war games, as well as uniquely Japanese events. Some of these include:

- Tamaire: A game where teams have a certain number of bean bags (typically around 100), and each team tries to get their bean bag into their basket, which is attached to a pole. The team with the most bean bags in their basket wins. 

- Taketori: Similar to tug of war, except the students are trying to drag/carry a long length of bamboo to their teams side

- Destiny race: This is an event that involves a student being given a challenge and having to complete that challenge and cross the finish line. At the sports day I attended this included things like winning a game of janken (rock-paper-scissors) against the vice-principal, crossing the finish line with your grandparent, naming 10 different types of soda/drinks, crossing the finish line with your favourite teacher and more.  

Culture Festival - 文化祭

Cultural festivals are not always held at Elementary schools instead they will hold a similar event where the students showcase some of their work to their family.  

Again the exact timing of your schools Culture Festival will be dependent on your school however it is unlikely that it will be held in the same semester as your school sport's day as both events involve a huge amount of preparation and practice. 

Classes will normally host a booth or hold an activity. Common themes are normally cafes, haunted houses, plays and more. The class chooses their activity via voting and then works together with ideally minimal to no assistance or guidance from teachers. At some schools, school clubs will also host some kind of showcase as well, for example the tea ceremony club may invite guests to participate in a tea ceremony. 

As Culture Festivals are normally open to the public, students often have friends and family visit their school festival. 

Other Events

While Sport's Day and the Culture Festival are two of the more universal school event experiences that you will see and maybe even participate in during your time on JET, students will also participate in other events throughout the year, such as music competitions, school trips, school camps and more.

Some of these events are specific to your school. For example, one of my schools is the alma mater of a famous sumo wrestler and has a Sumo Wrestling competition each year. At another school the entire student body participates in a famous local festival. It is definitely worth asking your supervisor or schools what other events they may have or take part in. Even if you don't want to take part in the event yourself, going on the day of the event is a great way to support your school and experience Japanese culture. 
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  • Home
  • AJET
    • Oita AJET >
      • Event Calendar
    • National AJET
    • Block 10
    • The ORC Team >
      • Contact
  • Working in Oita
    • The JET Programme
    • For First Year JETs >
      • Before you arrive >
        • Packing Advice - Bring
      • Shoes in Japan
      • Packing Advice - Leave
      • Senpai Advice >
        • Senpai Advice: Japanese Culture
      • Explaining the System >
        • Prefectural JETs
        • City Level JET's
    • Your First Month
    • Money
    • Contract Renewal
    • Visa Renewal
    • Conference and Orientation Materials
    • Teaching on JET >
      • The Japanese School System >
        • Elementary School
        • Junior High School/Middle School
        • High School
        • Kindergarten
        • School Events
        • Club Activities >
          • English Club
      • Oita Lesson Exchange
      • Senpai Advice: Work
    • Enkai (Work Functions)
    • Oita Support Network >
      • Prefectural Advisors >
        • What Prefectural Advisors Do
        • Current PAs
        • Past PAs
        • Check-ins
      • Regional Advisors
    • Social Media Guidelines
    • For Departing JETs
  • Living in Japan
    • Get Connected >
      • Mobile Phones
    • Getting Around
    • Driving in Oita
    • Learning Japanese
    • How do I.... >
      • {do X} at the Post Office?
      • Move within Japan
      • Take the GRE in Japan
      • Get my driver's license?
    • Cooking in Japan
    • Taxes
    • Embassies & Consulates
    • City Halls (Kouminkan)
    • Religious Services
    • Senpai advice
  • Health & Safety
    • Health >
      • Medical Facilities with English Support
      • JET Recommended Medical Facilties
      • Visiting the Doctor
      • Mental Health Resources
    • Disaster Preparedness >
      • How to Be Prepared for Disasters >
        • Emergency Pack
        • Be Disaster Ready
        • Stay Informed
        • Evacuation Centers
      • Disaster Procedures in Oita
      • Natural Disasters >
        • Earthquakes
        • Typhoons
        • Floods
        • Landslides
      • Terrorism >
        • Tensions with North Korea
      • Fire Safety
    • Travel Safety
  • Explore Oita
    • About Oita
    • Your local area >
      • Beppu
      • Bungo-ono
      • Bungo-takada
      • Hiji
      • Hita
      • Kitsuki
      • Kokonoe
      • Kunisaki
      • Kusu
      • Nakatsu
      • Oita City
      • Saiki
      • Taketa
      • Tsukumi
      • Usa
      • Usuki
      • Yufuin
    • Famous Foods >
      • Bungo beef
      • Toriten (Chicken Tempura)
      • Chicken Karaage (Deep Fried Chicken)
      • Horse Mackerel
      • Fugu (Blowfish)
      • Shiroshita Karei (Marbled Flounder)
      • Kabosu fed Amberjack and Halibut
      • Hamo (Conger Pike)
      • Ayu (Sweetfish)
      • Japanese Spiny Lobster
      • Hyuga Don (Tuna Donburi)
      • Sea Bream Ochazuke
      • Oysters
      • Suppon (Softshell Turtle)
      • Cutlass Fish
      • Kuruma shrimps (Tiger prawns)
      • Hitan Sushi
      • Saiki Sushi
      • Beppu Reimen
      • Yakisoba
      • Bungo-takada Soba (Buckwheat noodles)
      • Jigoku Mushi (Hell Steamed Food)
      • Jigoku Mushi Custard Pudding
      • Kokonoe Yume Burger (Kokonoe Dream Burger)
      • Dango jiru (Dumpling Soup)
      • Sake (Japanese Alcohol)
      • Kanta-kun (Sweet potatoes)
      • Kabosu citrus
      • Shiitake Mushroom
    • Festivals and Events >
      • Complete List of Festivals and Events
      • Ajimu Wine Festival
      • Awashima Park Flower Festival
      • Beppu Hatto Hot Spring Festival & Fire Festival
      • Beppu Hi no Umi Festival (Ocean Fire Festival)
      • Christmas Hanabi Fantasia (Christmas Fireworks Festival)
      • Eat Beef and Scream
      • Gaman Taikai
      • Hiji Curry Rally
      • Himeshima Bon Odori
      • Hina Doll Tour, Hiji Castle Town
      • Hina Doll Tour, Usuki
      • Hita Gion Festival
      • Hita Kawabiraki Tourism Festival (Hita Kankousai)
      • Hita Sennen Akari Festival
      • Hita Tenryo Festival
      • Horan Enya (Fisherman's Festival)
      • Japan Fairy Tale Festival
      • Kamegawa Summer Festival
      • Karaage Festival
      • Kebesu Festival
      • Kitsuki Castle Festival
      • Kitsuki Castle Town Walk and Hina Doll Tour
      • Kitsuki Moon Viewing Festival (Lantern Festival)
      • Koton Village Sakura Festival
      • Nakatsu Gion Festival
      • Nakatsu Hina Doll Festival
      • Oita International Wheelchair Marathon
      • Oita Tanabata (including Funai Pacchin Festival)
      • Oka Castle Cherry Blossom Festival
      • Oka Castle Town Hina Doll Festival
      • Onta Pottery Festival (Onta-yaki Mentousai) Autumn
      • Onta Pottery Festival (Onta-yaki Mentousai) Spring
      • Oonogawa Battle Festival
      • Sanko Cosmos Festival
      • Shimanawa Rope Tying (Sacred Straw Rope Tying)
      • Shiroshita Karei Festival
      • Shujo Onie
      • Stone Buddha Fire Festival
      • Taketa Bamboo Festival
      • Taketa Ice-cream Rally
      • Tenjin Festival
      • Tenryo Hita Doll Festival
      • Tsukumi Minato Festival (Tsukumi Port Festival)
      • Tsukumi Traditional Fan Dance
      • Tulip Festa
      • Usa Mikoshi Festival (Usa Summer Festival)
      • Usuki Gion Festival
      • Usuki Takeyoi (Lantern Festival)
      • Wakamiya Hachiman Naked Festival
    • Onsen Culture >
      • What to expect
      • What to do
      • What to bring
      • Onsen Map
    • Meijiron
    • Sightseeing in Oita >
      • Nature >
        • Chinda Falls
        • Harajiri Falls
        • Himeshima - Hime Island
        • Honjyo Water wheel
        • Izumi Stone Caves
        • Jigoku Meguri - the Hells Tour
        • Kuju Mountain Range
        • Kunisaki-Kitsuki Cycling Road
        • Matama Beach
        • Mt Tsurumi
        • Mt Yufu - Yufudake
        • Olle Hike, Asaji - Taketa
        • Onagara Limestone Cave
      • Historical Sites >
        • Funai Castle Ruins
        • Hachimenzan Peace Park
        • Hiji Castle Ruins
        • Kitsuki Castle and Museum
        • Mameda Town
        • Nakatsu Castle
        • Nioza Historical Road
        • Oka Castle Ruins
        • Samurai Residences
        • Showa Town - Showa no machi
        • Usuki Stone Buddhas (National Treasure)
      • Temples and Shrines >
        • Bungo Futamigaura
        • Futago-ji
        • Fugen Temple - Fugen-ji
        • Gyoran no taki - Kappa Temple
        • Komo Shrine
        • Rakan Temple - Rakan-ji
        • Usa-jingu - Usa Shrine
      • Onsens and Spas >
        • Beppu Hatto Onsen
        • Hiji Spa Resorts
        • Kokonoe Yume Onsen Village
        • Nagayu Onsen
        • Yufu Ryokans
      • Theme parks and attractions >
        • Fundokin Soy Sauce Factory
        • Harmonyland
        • Kitsuki Historical Museum
        • Kitsuki Kimono Rental
        • Kokonoe Yume Suspension Bridge
        • Oita Station & AMU Plaza
        • OPAM - Oita Prefectural Art Museum
        • Sapporo Beer Factory
        • Shuraku-kan Theatre
        • Totoro Bus Stop
        • Umitamago Aquarium and Takasakiyama Monkey Park
        • Yaeko Nogomi Memorial Museum
      • Artisan Skills and Crafts >
        • Onta Pottery Village
    • Travelling outside Oita >
      • Travel Tips
      • Researching your Trip
      • Budget Carriers
    • Cherry Blossoms >
      • Senpai Sakura Reviews >
        • Oita Castle Ruins Park
        • Heiwa Shimin Park
        • Beppu Park
        • Mt Ogi Sakura Garden
        • Beppu Ropeway
        • Shidaka Lake
        • Kijima Kogan Park
    • Map
    • Photo Gallery
  • A Year in Oita
  • Resources
    • Useful Websites etc. >
      • Guide to JET Websites Around Japan
      • Helpful Websites
      • Online Shopping Sites
      • Smartphone Apps
    • FAQ