Health and Sports Day (Japan)

Health and Sports Day (Japan) for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Monday, October 10th. There are until the next observance.

Every year on the second Monday of October, Japan celebrates Sports Day, originally known as Health-Sports Day. This year, the date is October 10. Its goal is to encourage sports and an active lifestyle in order to maintain a healthy mind and body, and it honors the start of the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Many schools and companies choose this day to celebrate their annual Field Day. It usually comprises a variety of physical sports, ranging from more standard track-and-field events like relay races, to more unusual events like the tug of war and the “Cavalry Battle.”

📆 When is Health and Sports Day (Japan)?

This year, Health and Sports Day (Japan) is on October 10th. It is the 2nd Monday in October; in 2023, it is on Tuesday.

→ Did you know: The odd sport of ‘oodama okuri’ is performed at these festivals; separated into teams, they pass it back and forth above their heads in the smallest amount of time.

You can also learn all exciting things you didn’t know about and facts about October 10, 2022.

📜 History of Health and Sports Day (Japan)

Beginning in 2020, Health and Sports Day was renamed Sports Day, also known as’ Supptsu no hi ‘in Japanese. This is because the term “sports” encompasses more than just physical instruction and also indicates voluntary enjoyment. It follows in the footsteps of other organizations that have changed or plan to alter their names in Japanese, such as the Japan Sports Association and the National Sports Festival of Japan.

A special agreement was made to relocate Sports Day to July 24, 2020, to coincide with the start of the 2020 Summer Olympics. Since the Olympics and Paralympics were moved to 2021, this change was kept for 2020. The government also changed the Olympic and Paralympic Special Measures Act to make a similar change to the holiday in 2021, moving it to July 23.

The event normally starts with a procession that includes all of the many teams that will be participating, which are split by neighborhood, class, geographic region, or school. Typically, a local marching band performs, followed by the national song “Kimigayo” and the hoisting of the Japanese flag. Local leaders offer welcome remarks, people spread out throughout the fields to stretch, and the activities begin.

☑️ Health and Sports Day (Japan) facts

✅ It’s still popular with the elders
According to a 2019 Japan Sports Agency poll, the proportion of people who exercise or participate in sports once a week or more is greater than 70% for most older age groups.

✅ Many museums stay open on this day
Those who ordinarily close on Mondays may stay open on Sports Day and then close on Tuesday.

✅ It’s a lot like the Olympics
The field days involve torch-carrying and lighting rituals in addition to sports.

✨ Things to do on Health and Sports Day (Japan)

⚡ Participate in a sports festival
In Japan, most towns and schools celebrate in this manner. Many of the conventional track and field events are included, such as relays, sprinting, and long jump. Ball tossing, tug of war, rugby-ball dribbling races, sack races, and other games are also available.

⚡ Participate in an exciting relay
Another typical event is an obstacle course relay, which includes a variety of tasks. Three-legged races; transporting a “damaged” teammate on a stretcher constructed of a blanket and bamboo poles; laundry hanging; tug-of-war hands and knees under a net; and cartwheels over a mat are among them.

⚡ Practice stretching
This is an event that individuals of all ages are urged to participate in, even if they are alone at home. Stretching routine music, created by the government, is aired on the radio and television every day so that people may follow along with the program.

📅 Health and Sports Day (Japan) Observances

See all October holidays, including Health and other Activities holidays.

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