Sunday, October 8, 2023

Sports Day Holiday

Tomorrow is another national holiday in Japan! Japan has sixteen national holidays each year. 




Tomorrow is Sports Day, which is to encourage the participation in and the appreciation of sports and an active, healthy lifestyle. The October date was chosen based on the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The holiday was first celebrated on October 10, 1966, but was changed in 2000 to the second Monday of October (the Happy Monday system). In 2020 and 2021, the holiday was moved to July to accomodate the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.


Many schools and communities host Sports Day events.  Every evening this past week, there have been elementary school students practicing various events in the neighborhood park behind my house. I don't know where their actual event will be held (school or park).  The daytime temperatures have been cooler recently, so it should be a good day for participating in or observing sporting events.

5 comments:

diamondc said...

Hello Pamela: This is an amazing idea, too bad other countries do not follow this idea, what a great way to spend the day off participating in all sports.

Catherine

Queeniepatch said...

I agree with Diamond Catherine that it is a great idea and more countries should adopt promoting health and an active life in this way.
I just hope the weather holds for those who will have outdoor activities - many parts of Japan might be in for a spot of rain tomorrow.

Toki said...

When I was a child, sports day was a fun event.
Although the day of the sports day was fun, but I remember that the practice up until then was a pain. The training was very tough. If a similar practice were to take place in this day and age, parents would immediately complain.

Jeanie said...

I love your holidays!

Leonore Winterer said...

I've never been a 'sporty' child, so I'm not sure I would have liked this!