Growing Up in Japan– category –
School, friendship, family and the pressures of growing up in Japan: everyday experiences alongside the hopes and questions that shape young lives.
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Origami in Japan: What One Square of Paper Can Become
Explore origami in Japan through paper cranes, playful helmets and frogs, and shared moments of folding, with beginner links and the story of Hiroshima. -
Koinobori: Why Carp Swim in Japan’s Spring Sky
Explore the meaning of Japan’s koinobori carp streamers, from Children’s Day and family displays to village rivers and Kazo’s giant flying carp. -
Karuta: Japan’s Card Games Begin with Listening
Explore Japanese karuta through picture cards, Hyakunin Isshu poetry and competitive play. Learn what to listen for and how beginners can join in. -
Kendama: Why One Good Catch Is Only the Beginning
Explore Japan’s kendama culture, from a first cup catch and small practice goals to Hatsukaichi’s woodworking history and an international community. -
Undokai in Japan: The School Sports Day Children Help Create
Japan’s undokai school sports day brings together games, preparation and student roles. Look beyond the finish line to see how children help create the occasion. -
Why Does Japan’s School Bag Look Like That? The Story of the Randoseru
Why does Japan’s randoseru have its distinctive shape? Explore the school bag’s history, six-year design, changing colors and place in family life. -
Shichi-Go-San: Why Japanese Families Celebrate Ages Three, Five and Seven
Why does Japan celebrate children at ages three, five and seven? Discover the meaning of Shichi-Go-San, shrine visits, kimono, chitose-ame and family traditions. -
Why Do Japanese Students Serve Their Own School Lunch? Inside Kyushoku
Why do Japanese students serve their own school lunch? Explore kyushoku, rotating lunch duty, food education, the people behind each meal and Japan's 2026 cost changes. -
Anime vs. Reality: What Japanese School Life Is Really Like
Cherry blossoms, school festivals, and teenage dreams—and the pressures behind them. Discover Japanese school life beyond anime, from clubs and cultural festivals to exams and belonging. -
Would You Let a Six-Year-Old Walk Home Alone? Japan’s School Commute and the Fear Behind It
To some overseas visitors, Japanese children walking to school without their parents are a symbol of independence. To a worried parent, the same scene can raise a very different question: what happens when nobody is watching?
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