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Two elementary students wearing backpacks, one plad, the other, red.
School Year
  1. Three Term System
  2. School Entrance Ceremonies and Beginning and Ending of the Semester Ceremonies
  3. School Excursions
  4. Student Teachers
  5. High School Baseball
  6. Summer Break
  7. Athletic Festival or Undōkai
  8. Cultural Festivals
  9. Entrance Exam Season
  10. Graduation Ceremony or Sotsugyō Shiki
  11. Class Inspection
  12. Teacher Home Visits
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Six girls in uniform on a stage, singing
Student performances are a central part of the Cultural Festival
Photo from Hishikai Junior High School.
Cultural Festivals
Another in the annual events that mark the Japanese school calendar, cultural festivals present an opportunity for students and clubs to perform and celebrate their activities outside of the classroom. The cultural festival is open to family and community members as well. For junior high schools, the cultural festival features award presentations, performances by students and teachers, the display of artwork and other student work for all to see. In high school and college, the cultural festival takes on an even wider role, with students having booths and shops that they run with their class, club, or circle. Some university cultural festivals are very well known, with many students from other universities attending and may feature performances by nationally known entertainers as well as performances by students themselves. The cultural festival at both the high school and university level is sometimes used as a recruiting tool, to show off they type of school they are to prospective students. The cultural festivals are held at various times, depending on the school, but are usually held around Cultural Day (November 3).
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