The Hidden (But Cute) Side of the “Undokai” Sports Festival

Many of you have probably already heard about the undokai sports festival in Japan. A celebration full of physical tests, sports competitions, dances and rhythm tables, which are an unmissable tradition, especially in schools in Japan. These are organized from kindergarten or kindergarten, through all school grades, universities, and even in companies and neighbors in the community.

It is usually an event that involves a lot of work by students and teachers. They can have daily practices for months, and the enthusiasm grows in them. On the day of the event, all the families and neighbors gathered at the schools to enjoy this great event! We arrive early in the morning to “separate” the best places to see the show, take the best photos and set up our corner that will be the base of operations, rest area and lunch.

This crowd comes with a whole package of wonderful things and also some discomforts. Certainly not the right place for those who can’t stand crowds or loud noises, long lines to go to the bathroom, watching your child run for a few seconds and then seeing a few (hundreds) more races, etc. The first times we attended the emotion was enormous, you get infected by the passion of the students singing for their team, the emotion of listening to the band, seeing all the children perform dances, etc. Quite a show worthy of admiration.

I remember a few years ago, when my oldest son was in his last year of elementary school, we jokingly made a quick calculation of the number of undokai we still had to attend. Considering that we had at least 6 undokai from Ro, plus a couple from Yu through kindergarten, and Mi’s soon to start, the numbers quickly grew to more than a dozen. For a moment I had the double thought that often happens to us parents when we watch our children grow up, “this happens very quickly and doesn’t come back anymore; we have to take advantage of it”, although behind this idea comes the shiver of “more than 12 years of this exhaustive event?!…. wow!”

Eventually, we learned to accept this reality. Then, during the coronavirus pandemic, schools either canceled the 2020 undokai or held them in a “miniature” version, limiting attendees and events. Even in staggered participation, some children during one time, and the others in a different one. This had a positive effect on my reborn enthusiasm for undokai, though it wouldn’t last long.

For the past month, every day and sometimes even on weekends, children from two different kindergartens and nursery schools are rehearsing activities for their undokai in the park that is practically next to the house. They even carry out tests of the games and sports that they will play, dances with music included, shouts of support and excitement from the little ones, and more! Please don’t get me wrong, I love children and I really enjoy hearing them laugh and enjoy their rehearsals, even at this moment I am sitting near my open window listening as they prepare for this great event. But at this point I think I know your school’s undokai program better than the songs we plan to record for the next videos on our channel. I even find myself humming the Sazae san anime theme song they use for their dance this year.

In the end, if all goes well this way, we don’t have a dozen undokai left to “participate.” This year alone we have had 30 fairly complete practices, and if each year becomes an average, during my children’s school time we will probably have heard 300 undokai. And if we decide to live here to old age, that number could multiply alarmingly. I insist, it is a hidden or unexpected side of the undokai that I had never considered, but that at the same time allows us to enjoy the sound of children’s laughter for many more years!