Fall traditions: 'undokai' sports day

Each year in Autumn many schools and neighborhoods around Japan have a sports day, known as 'undokai' in Japanese. They are much more of an elaborate affair than back home (Ireland) and involve the whole family going to spectate. Often graduates of the school and old teachers even come back to cheer on the participants.

For years, they were all in the autumn, but in recent years some schools have moved their undokai to earlier in the school year. My Junior High School aged children have their sports day at school in May each year. Honestly, I think spring is a much better time for it. But I am at least grateful that the elementary school's sports day is now in October. When my eldest started elementary school it was actually on in September for several years and it was often scorching hot.

It makes more sense to have it in October when the weather is cooler and much more amiable for sports. Especially as the public holiday, also called sports day, is on in October annually. This year (2024) it is on Monday October 14th. Many municipalities and districts have sports days around that time. My town used to too. Until the pandemic. It was cancelled during the pandemic and then they decided to discontinue it completely.

Now that the town's sports day is no longer I actually kind of miss it! It was a good laugh and it was good to catch up with busy neighbors. But honestly, it was also a real nuisance. Many people would refuse to participate and just come along on the day to be sociable. With the result, those of us who were willing, would have to participate in several sporting events which could be quite taxing. 

Thankfully, we can still enjoy spectating the children's school sports day. For another two years at least until my youngest goes to elementary school. Moreover, according to the Moms in my neighborhood, nowadays parents go along to Senior High Sports days. This surprised me because for years, Senior High School sports days were only for the students. Depending on the High School my kids go to, we may have many more undokai in our future yet!