Japan School Events Calendar: What Foreign Parents Need to Know (and Bring)

Every school event where parents attend, prepare something, or sign a form — from entrance ceremony to graduation. What to bring, what to wear, and Japanese phrases for parent-teacher meetings.

What this covers: Every school event where parents are expected to attend, prepare something, or sign a form. From the entrance ceremony in April to the graduation in March — what to bring, what to wear, and what to say when you don't speak Japanese.

Bottom line: Most school events follow predictable patterns. Once you know what's expected, you can show up prepared instead of confused.

Information current as of March 2026 based on official school calendars from Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama municipal schools, and parent experience guides from Savvy Tokyo and RealLifeJapan.

Japanese schools pack the year with events that require parent participation. Some are obvious (entrance ceremony). Others blindside you (PTA role lottery at the first class meeting). And for every event, there's an unwritten code: what to wear, what to bring, where to sit, and what the form you need to sign actually says.

This guide walks through each event in calendar order so you can prepare before the notice arrives.

April: entrance ceremony (入学式) and first class meeting (保護者会)

Entrance ceremony (入学式)

Your child's first day at school, but it's a formal event — not a regular school day.

What to prepare	Details
Your clothes	Semi-formal: dark suit or dress. Most mothers wear navy, black, or gray. Fathers wear business suits. Avoid casual clothes — you will stand out.
Child's clothes	Semi-formal outfit (not the gym uniform). Many children wear a suit-style set. Schools with uniforms: wear the uniform.
Indoor shoes (上履き)	For you. Bring clean slippers or uwabaki. Bring a plastic bag for your outdoor shoes.
Camera	Photo opportunities at the school gate (with the sign), in the classroom, and during the ceremony.
Stationery	Pen for filling out forms on the spot. You may receive documents to sign.

What happens: ~1–2 hours. Principal's speech, introduction of teachers, class assignment announcement. Then you go to your child's classroom for a brief orientation. Arrive 20–30 minutes early for photos.

First class meeting (保護者会 / 懇談会)

Usually held the same day as or within a week of the entrance ceremony. This is where:

The teacher explains the class rules and annual schedule
PTA roles are assigned — by volunteering, lottery, or rock-paper-scissors (yes, really)
Parents introduce themselves briefly (one sentence is fine)

Survival phrases for self-introduction:

○○の母（父）です。
[Country name]から来ました。日本語はまだ勉強中ですが、よろしくお願いいたします。

I'm [child's name]'s mother (father). I'm from [country]. I'm still studying Japanese, but I look forward to working with you all.

April–July: classroom visits (授業参観) and individual meetings (個人面談)

Classroom visit day (授業参観 / jugyou sankan)

Held 2–3 times per year. You visit the school and watch a regular class in progress.

What to know:

Bring uwabaki (indoor shoes) and a plastic bag for your outdoor shoes. Full uwabaki guide →
Stand or sit at the back/side of the classroom. Don't talk to your child during class.
Other parents will be there too. It's normal to watch quietly.
After the class, there's usually a 保護者会 (class meeting) — see above.

Individual parent-teacher meeting (個人面談 / kojin mendan)

Held in July and sometimes December. A 15-minute one-on-one conversation with the teacher about your child's progress.

This is the event foreign parents dread most. The conversation is entirely in Japanese, and 15 minutes goes fast.

How to prepare:

Write your questions in advance (in Japanese if possible). Bring the paper.
Bring a translator — a Japanese-speaking friend, or book a LO-PAL helper to come with you.
Use simple questions. The teacher will appreciate directness.

Useful questions (copy and show to the teacher):

・学校での様子はいかがでしょうか？
(How is my child doing at school?)

・お友達とうまくやっていますか？
(Is my child getting along with friends?)

・勉強で困っていることはありますか？
(Is my child having difficulty with any subjects?)

・家庭で気をつけることはありますか？
(Is there anything we should work on at home?)

・日本語のサポートはありますか？
(Is Japanese language support available?)

Tip: If you can't bring a translator, write your questions on paper and hand them to the teacher at the start. Many teachers will write their answers or use simpler Japanese. Some will use Google Translate on their phone.

May or October: Sports day (運動会 / undoukai)

The biggest school event of the year. All students participate in races, group dances, and team competitions. Parents watch (and sometimes participate in a parent race).

What to prepare	Details
Seating	Bring a ground sheet (レジャーシート). Arrive 30+ minutes early — families stake out spots. Some schools now assign seating areas.
Packed lunch	Some schools: family eats together at noon (pack a large bento). Others: children eat in the classroom. Check the notice.
Sun protection	Hat, sunscreen, water. You'll be outside for 4–6 hours.
Camera/binoculars	Your child's events are scattered throughout the day. The program lists which events each grade participates in.
Rainout	Usually postponed to the next day. The school announces via app or calls in the early morning.

Parent race (保護者競技): Some schools include a short race or activity for parents. Participation is voluntary but encouraged. Wear shoes you can run in.

Summer/winter: vacation periods and what comes with them

Summer vacation (~July 20 – August 31)

Homework: Your child will receive a homework packet. It typically includes workbooks, a journal (絵日記), and a self-directed project (自由研究 / jiyuu kenkyuu). The project requires planning — don't leave it until the last week.
Pool days: Some schools hold supervised swimming during the break. Check the schedule.
Gakudo: After-school care operates full days during breaks. Apply in advance.

Winter vacation (~December 25 – January 7)

Shorter homework. Some schools assign a calligraphy piece (書き初め / kakizome) due in January.

October–November: field trip (遠足) and school festival (学芸会)

Field trip (遠足 / ensoku)

What your child needs:

Packed lunch (bento) — no convenience store packaging visible is a common rule
Water bottle
Small backpack (not the randoseru)
Handkerchief and tissue
Rain gear (depending on destination)

Permission slip: You'll receive a form (同意書) to sign and return. Look for the date and the signature/stamp line.

School festival (学芸会 / gakugeikai or 文化祭)

Children perform plays, sing, or present projects. Parents attend as audience. Bring indoor shoes. Some schools allow video recording; others don't — check the notice.

June–July: swimming class (水泳授業) and health check season

Swimming class

Most schools have a pool and conduct swimming lessons from June to July. Your child needs:

School-approved swimsuit (usually navy/black, one-piece for girls)
Swim cap (color may be specified by grade or class)
Goggles
Bath towel (some schools require a wrap-style towel with elastic)

Health check card (水泳カード): Each swim day, you must check your child's temperature, note any health issues, and stamp or sign the card. If the card isn't signed, the child cannot swim. Don't forget this.

Health check season

In April–June, schools conduct medical checkups: vision, hearing, dental, and general health. Results come home on a form. If it says 「受診をおすすめします」(we recommend a medical visit), take your child to the relevant doctor and return the form with the doctor's stamp.

March: graduation ceremony (卒業式)

For 6th graders (elementary) or 3rd years (junior high). Even if your child isn't graduating, lower grades may attend or perform.

Dress code: Formal. Same level as entrance ceremony.
Duration: 1.5–2 hours. Speeches, certificate presentation, singing.
Emotion level: High. Many parents and teachers cry. This is culturally normal.

Year-round: forms, permissions, and signatures

Throughout the year, forms come home that need your response. Common types:

Form type	What it is	What to do
同意書 (douisho)	Permission/consent form	Sign at the bottom. Return by the date shown.
調査票 (chousahyou)	Survey/information form	Fill in requested information (emergency contacts, allergies, etc.)
出欠確認 (shukketsu kakunin)	Attendance confirmation	Circle 出席 (attend) or 欠席 (absent). Return.
お知らせ (oshirase)	Information notice	Read only — no response needed. But check for dates and items to prepare.

Tip: When you see 「切り取り線」(cut line) on a form, cut along the dotted line and return only the bottom portion. Keep the top for your reference.

Need More Help? Ask on LO-PAL

Need someone to come with you to a parent-teacher meeting as an interpreter? Help you understand the PTA role assignment? Or translate the field trip permission slip? LO-PAL matches you with a local helper who has navigated these exact events. Post your request and get matched.