Japanese School Festivals: Fun & Tradition Combined
Thuy Fang
Japanese school festivals occur annually at the end of October or the beginning of November. Many schools choose to organize them on the national holiday “Culture Day” (November 3rd), but some also hold this event on Halloween. In the spirit of gearing up for Halloween, let’s explore the exciting aspects of school festivals in Japan with TokyoTreat!
What is a Japanese school festival?
A school festival, or bunkasai in Japan, is a unique event where students showcase their talents and work together. It’s a fun time and a way to boost students’ interest in learning and teamwork. During the festival, students use what they’ve learned in class to create performances and activities for everyone to enjoy. School students, parents, or anyone interested can join and immerse themselves in the festivities.
Usually, these events are organized at all school-year levels, from nursery to university. From elementary to high school, they are mandatory activities within the regular curriculum and a prerequisite for all students to take part in. However, they’re optional at the university level!
When did Japanese school festivals start?
The earliest school festival in Japan was “sosakuten” (creative exhibition), which started in 1921 at Koishikawa Junior High School. Choshichi Ito, an educator during the Taisho era, introduced this event to spark students’ creativity. It also provided a platform for showcasing their imaginative projects. During that time, sosakuten drew significant attention from newspapers and over 3,000 enthusiastic visitors.
After World War II (around 1948), when the new high school system was implemented, cultural festivals mainly focused on clubs and voluntary activities. However, by the 1960s, the modern style of school festivals had taken shape, featuring class performances and various intriguing activities similar to the lively bunkasai we have today.
Are you looking for some terrific snacks this Halloween season? Check out TokyoTreat! TokyoTreat delivers the best Japanese snacks, drinks, and sweets to your door every month so you can have a memorable time at home with your friends and family!
What can I expect at a Japanese school festival?
Typically, as the festival day approaches, each class must choose the activities they will participate in for the festival, along with the theme of the activity. All students contribute to preparing for the chosen activities for the sake of their class. Below are some everyday activities at bunkasai:
Themed cafes
Themed cafes are a prevalent concept at school festivals in Japan. Almost every school has one or a few cafes serving various types of sweets, snacks, tea, coffee, and other beverages. Bunkasai cafes are often simulated in famous manga and anime, including titles like Ao Haru Ride, Komi Can’t Communicate, and Non Non Biyori.
However, the most captivating theme is always the maid cafe. There’s even a reverse maid cafe where adorable male students serve as hosts. School festivals mostly fall near or on Halloween; exciting Halloween-themed concept cafes are also trendy among Japanese students.
Haunted houses
This is also one of the most beloved activities during Japanese school festivals. Students invest a lot of time, thorough attention, and creativity to create a thrilling and engaging haunted house that can scare the most visitors.
Furthermore, participating classes also need to assemble many students to dress up as eccentric monsters, obake (ghosts), or bakemono (Japanese demons) to enhance the excitement and vividness of their haunted house.
Festive games
Games are essential to every festival, and bunkasai is no exception. Some popular entertaining games in bunkasai include throwing balls into bottles, puzzles, and menko (the card-flipping game). For each game, there’s always a fun little prize for the winner and the players.
Theaters
On the day of the Japanese school festival, the theater takes center stage as a showcase for the artistic talents of students from various classes or cultural clubs within the school. It can also be singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, and magic shows.
The highlight is often theatrical performances where students can expose their exceptional acting skills. Watching performances based on classic plays by Shakespeare, Japanese history, or fairy tales is common.
Food stands
Food stands are also meticulously prepared by the students who have already acquired knowledge from their cooking classes. Popular dishes include takoyaki, yakisoba, dango, and taiyaki. Moreover, there are also delicious Western dishes like hamburgers, pizza, and pasta. Around the food stands, you’ll always hear inviting words and advertisements from the organizing students, aiming to attract as many customers as possible.
In short, Japanese school festivals serve as a platform for students to showcase their talents. They feature many compelling activities, from haunted houses to Shakespeare plays!. This vividly depicts Japanese school students’ precious creativity and beautiful team spirit. Have you been a part of such vibrant festivities at school? Share your thoughts and experiences below!
Related articles
Valentine’s Day 2026 and Japan’s Changing February Culture
Valentine’s Day 2026 in Japan reflects how the month of February has grown beyond romance into a broader seasonal experience. The holiday now sits alongside winter food trends, public events, and quiet indoor activities.
Marie Kondo: New Book Spotlight!
Marie Kondo is a Japanese organizing consultant, author, and television host. She is best known for the KonMari Method, which encourages people to keep only the things that “spark joy.”
Japanese Denim: How Japan Became a World Jeans Legend
Japanese denim is famous worldwide for being thick, tough, and beautiful, with fades that tell a story over time. What started as an obsession with vintage American jeans slowly evolved into a culture of craftsmanship, making Japan one of the global capitals of high-quality denim. How did Japanese denim start? Denim arrived in Japan after...
Japanese History Spotlight: What is the Venice of the East?
Toyama’s nickname as “The Venice of the East” goes beyond a pretty view. It reflects centuries of Japanese history, when this quiet city on the Japan Sea coast grew up around rivers, canals, trade routes, and a unique medical industry that sent traveling sellers across the country. Today, Toyama still feels like a city shaped...
Oita is Home to Awesome Rock Carvings!
Japan may be super famous for anime, ninja, and ramen, but it’s also a profoundly spiritual and religious country. In fact, its relationship to Buddhism dates back centuries. Of all the shrines and religious sites to visit, look no further than the Magaibutsu in Oita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu!
Japanese Romance Movies and Shows To Watch This Year!
Japanese romance movies and TV shows often focus on realistic emotions rather than exaggerated drama or fantasy. Instead of fast-moving plots, these stories usually develop slowly and emphasize everyday experiences that feel familiar to viewers.