This time, I will explain the annual schedule of Japanese schools. I am Japanese and went to a Japanese school, so I can give you a realistic schedule. When reading Japanese anime, manga, and light novels, I think it’s easier to understand works that are set in a school if you have some background knowledge.
About the semester
Japanese schools generally start in April and follow a three-term system. The first semester is from April to the end of July, the second semester is from September to the end of December, and the third semester is from January to March.
About long vacation
There is a long vacation between each semester. There is a summer vacation between the 1st and 2nd semesters, a winter vacation between the 2nd and 3rd semesters, and a spring vacation between the 3rd semester and the 1st semester of the following year. Additionally, summer vacation is approximately one month, winter vacation is approximately two weeks, and spring vacation is approximately two weeks.
About the exam
Regular tests are basically held twice in the 1st and 2nd semesters, and once in the 3rd semester. Regular tests are divided into a midterm test and a final test, and the range of questions is determined in advance.
Mid-term exams are held in late May and late October, and final exams are held in early July and early December, so the scope of questions in the final exam is often narrower. The final exam for the third semester has the widest range of questions. In addition, after each final exam, grades for the semester are decided, and career counseling is held between the student, the student’s parents, and the teacher before the long vacation. By the way, some schools hold a proficiency test after a long vacation without a specific range of questions.
About the event
In Japan, there are two school events, the sports festival and the cultural festival, in which all students participate.
At the sports festival, either the classes compete against each other, or each grade forms a team, with a total of three classes competing as a combined team. Also, at the sports festival, participants compete in events centered on track and field, and their cheering and spectator manners are also judged.
A cultural festival is an exhibition of works created in classes such as art and calligraphy, as well as works created by cultural clubs. In addition, each class plans events. There are various plans such as selling food, putting on plays, and holding hands-on attractions. In the story, they sometimes compete for sales, but in reality they don’t often compete.
About events by grade
Events by grade level are as follows:
1st grade: Entrance ceremony, overnight event
2nd grade: School trip
3rd grade: Graduation ceremony
First-year students begin with an entrance ceremony in April, followed by overnight events during the cooler months of spring or fall. For overnight events, we often go to either the mountains or the ocean. When we go to the mountains, we divide into groups of 4 to 6 people, set up tents, cook food, and camp. When we go to the ocean, we swim long distances or take a canoe or boat to our destination. Tests of courage and campfires are the staples of both overnight events. There are many things couples can do at these events.
Second year students go on a school trip to sightseeing spots in Japan. The main tourist destinations are Okinawa Prefecture, the southernmost prefecture, Hokkaido, the northernmost prefecture, Kyoto, where you can experience Japanese culture, and Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where the atomic bomb was dropped. School trips are the events that high school students look forward to the most. Basically, you will have a lot of free time while touring.
Third year students have few events as they are preparing for university entrance exams. At graduation ceremonies, many boys wear suits and girls wear kimonos. After the graduation ceremony, some people will move away and we won’t be able to see them anymore, so we all take lots of pictures together.
By the way, some schools organize day trips to tourist destinations every year.
Message
This time, I introduced high schools in Japan. With this knowledge, you can understand the story in more detail. Like this time, I’m also going to introduce Japanese culture that is necessary for the story, so if there’s anything you want to know, please feel free to ask. I would be happy if people could learn about Japanese culture through Japanese works.
This blog, I would like to disseminate Japanese anime, manga, and light novels overseas. If you are interested, I would be happy if you read my other articles.
