Japan Elementary School Supplies Checklist: What to Buy, Where, and How Much
The all-in-one Japanese learning app
Kanji, grammar, conversation, JLPT — all in one app.
All 2,136 standard kanji included. Every feature is free to use.
Everything your child needs for Japanese public elementary school — randoseru, uwabaki, gym clothes, stationery, and name labels. Full checklist with prices and budget tips.
What this covers: Everything your child needs for Japanese public elementary school — from the randoseru to the last name sticker. With prices, where to buy, and what to skip.
Total cost estimate: ¥60,000–¥100,000 before school entry (¥55,000+ is the bag alone). Budget options can bring this under ¥30,000.
When to start: December–February for best selection. January–March for best prices.
Information current as of March 2026 based on school supply guides from Koto-koto, Savvy Tokyo, and official elementary school enrollment guides from Tokyo ward schools.
When your child enters a Japanese public elementary school, the school gives you a list of required items. The list is in Japanese, the items have specific requirements (color, size, type), and many can only be bought at designated shops. If you're a foreign parent seeing this list for the first time in February, the panic is real.
This checklist covers every item, explains what actually matters (and what doesn't), and shows you where to buy everything — including budget alternatives.
The big purchase: randoseru (ランドセル)
The randoseru is the rigid leather (or synthetic) backpack that Japanese children use for all 6 years of elementary school. It's the single biggest expense.
| Option | Price range | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Standard new | ¥55,000–¥80,000 | Department stores, specialty shops, online |
| Budget new | ¥10,000–¥25,000 | Nitori (ニトリ), Aeon (イオン), Don Quijote |
| Secondhand | ¥1,000–¥10,000 | Mercari, Book-Off, recycling shops (リサイクルショップ) |
| Rental | ~¥1,000/month | RandSel (online rental service) |
| Free | ¥0 | Some ward offices and NPOs run donation programs |
Do you HAVE to buy a randoseru?
Technically, most schools don't mandate it. A few progressive schools explicitly allow any bag. But in practice:
- 99%+ of children use a randoseru
- Not having one makes your child visibly different on the walk to school
- The bag is designed for 6 years of daily use — it's genuinely durable
If cost is a barrier, go budget (Nitori's ¥15,000 models are solid) or secondhand. A used randoseru in good condition works fine.
Color: does it matter?
Traditionally: red for girls, black for boys. In 2026: any color is common. Purple, blue, brown, pink, green — all normal. Your child can choose. Some schools specify color; most don't.
When to buy
New models launch in May (11 months before school entry). Peak buying season is August–October. Best prices: January–March (clearance). If you're buying new, don't wait until March — popular colors sell out.
Required before the entrance ceremony (入学式)
The school will give you a list at the enrollment meeting (usually January–February). Here's what's typically on it:
Clothing and footwear
| Item | Japanese | Price (new) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor shoes | 上履き (uwabaki) | ¥1,000–¥2,000 | White, sometimes with colored toe/sole by grade. School specifies type. |
| Indoor shoe bag | 上履き袋 | ¥300–¥1,000 | Drawstring bag. Can be handmade or store-bought. |
| Gym uniform | 体操服 (taisou fuku) | ¥2,500–¥5,000 | Top + shorts set. Buy at the school-designated shop. Size up — children grow fast. |
| Red/white reversible cap | 紅白帽 (kouhaku bou) | ¥500–¥1,000 | For gym class and outdoor activities. Red = one team, white = the other. |
| School hat | 通学帽 (tsuugaku bou) | ¥900–¥1,500 | Yellow for 1st graders at many schools. Worn during commute. |
| Entrance ceremony outfit | 入学式の服 | ¥5,000–¥15,000 | Semi-formal. Worn once. Buy secondhand on Mercari (¥1,000–3,000). |
Stationery and supplies
| Item | Japanese | Price (new) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pencil case | 筆箱 (fudebako) | ¥1,500–¥3,000 | Box-type (箱型) required. Many schools ban pouch-type and character-decorated cases. Get a simple magnetic-close box. |
| Pencils (2B) | えんぴつ (2B) | ¥300–¥500 (set of 12) | Most schools specify 2B hardness. No mechanical pencils for 1st graders. |
| Eraser | 消しゴム (keshigomu) | ¥100 | White, rectangular, plain. Character erasers get confiscated. |
| Ruler | ものさし (monosashi) | ¥100–¥300 | 15cm, clear plastic. Foldable rulers not allowed at some schools. |
| Tool box | お道具箱 (odougubako) | ¥300–¥500 | Stored inside the desk. Holds crayons, glue, scissors. |
| Crayons | クレヨン / クレパス | ¥500–¥1,000 | 12-color set. Some schools specify the brand (Sakura Crepas). |
| Scissors | はさみ | ¥300–¥500 | Child-sized, with safety cap. |
| Glue stick | のりスティック | ¥100 | Standard size |
| Color pencils | 色えんぴつ | ¥500–¥1,000 | 12-color set |
Safety and daily items
| Item | Japanese | Price (new) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protective hood | 防災頭巾 (bousai zukin) | ¥1,500–¥3,000 | Earthquake safety equipment. Hangs on the back of the chair or sits on the seat as a cushion. |
| Protective hood cover | 防災頭巾カバー | ¥500–¥1,500 | Doubles as chair seat cover. Some schools provide; some don't. |
| Lunch set | 給食セット | ¥300–¥1,000 | Bag + napkin (ランチョンマット). Napkin goes on the desk during lunch. |
| Handkerchief + tissue | ハンカチ + ティッシュ | ¥200+ | Carried daily. Taught as part of hygiene routine. |
| Tote bag / sub-bag | 手提げ袋 (tetsage bukuro) | ¥300–¥1,000 | For carrying items that don't fit in the randoseru (books, gym clothes). |
Added during the school year (you'll get a notice)
| Item | Japanese | Price | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics set | 算数セット | ¥2,500–¥4,000 | 1st grade, April–May. Contains counting blocks, number cards, clock model — every piece needs a name label. |
| Keyboard harmonica | 鍵盤ハーモニカ | ¥3,000–¥5,000 | 1st grade music. Brand may be specified (Suzuki, Yamaha). |
| Swimsuit + swim cap | 水着 + 水泳帽 | ¥2,000–¥4,000 | June (before pool season). Navy/black one-piece for girls; trunks for boys. Cap color by grade. |
| Watercolor set | 絵の具セット | ¥2,500–¥4,000 | 2nd–3rd grade art class |
| Calligraphy set | 書道セット | ¥3,000–¥5,000 | 3rd grade onward |
| Recorder | リコーダー | ¥1,500–¥2,000 | 3rd grade music |
| Carving tools | 彫刻刀 (chokokutou) | ¥1,500–¥2,500 | 4th grade art |
| Sewing set | 裁縫セット | ¥2,000–¥4,000 | 5th grade home economics |
Many of these are sold through the school (order forms distributed in class). You can also buy equivalent items elsewhere — but check if the school requires a specific brand or model first.
The name label marathon (お名前つけ)
This deserves its own section because it's genuinely time-consuming. Every item your child brings to school must have their name on it. Every pencil. Every crayon. Every counting block in the math set (there are dozens of tiny pieces).
Your options
| Method | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| お名前シール (name stickers) | Most items, especially small ones | ¥500–¥1,500 for 200+ stickers (Amazon, Rakuten) |
| お名前スタンプ (name stamp set) | Fabric items (gym clothes, bags) | ¥1,000–¥3,000 for a set with multiple sizes |
| Hand-write with oil-based marker | Large items | ¥100 (marker) |
| Iron-on name labels | Clothing | ¥300–¥800 |
Recommendation: Order a name sticker set online 2–3 weeks before school starts. Choose one that includes multiple sizes (tiny for pencils, medium for notebooks, large for bags). Include both kanji and hiragana versions of your child's name — or katakana if your child's name is not Japanese.
Tip for foreign names: If your child's name is written in katakana, the stickers/stamps should match what's on the school's registry. Ask the school how your child's name is registered (some use romaji, most use katakana).
Where to buy: store guide
| Store | What to buy there | Price level |
|---|---|---|
| School-designated shop | Gym uniform, hat, uwabaki (if specified) | Fixed prices |
| Aeon / イオン | Randoseru, stationery, gym clothes, all basics | Budget–mid |
| Nitori / ニトリ | Randoseru (budget) | Budget |
| 100 yen shops (Daiso, Seria) | Pencils, erasers, folders, name labels, bags | ¥100 each |
| Amazon / Rakuten | Name stickers, randoseru, keyboard harmonica, watercolor sets | Varies (often cheapest) |
| Mercari | Secondhand randoseru, ceremony outfit, nearly-new supplies | Budget |
| Shimamura / しまむら | Gym clothes, underwear, ceremony outfit | Budget |
Budget strategy: under ¥30,000 total
- Randoseru: secondhand or Nitori budget line (¥10,000–15,000)
- Stationery: 100 yen shop (¥1,000–2,000 total)
- Gym uniform: school shop (unavoidable, ¥2,500–5,000)
- Ceremony outfit: Mercari (¥1,000–3,000)
- Name stickers: Amazon (¥500–1,000)
- Everything else: Aeon or 100 yen shop
Financial assistance (就学援助 / shugaku enjo)
If you meet the income criteria, your municipality will subsidize school supplies, lunch fees, field trips, and more. Apply through the school or Board of Education at enrollment or the start of the school year. The application is income-based and available to all residents regardless of nationality.
Common surprises for foreign parents
- "No character items" rule: Many schools ban pencil cases, erasers, and stationery with anime/character designs. They're considered distracting. Buy plain items.
- Handmade bags: Some schools "strongly recommend" handmade bags (shoe bag, lunch bag, tote). If you can't sew, buy ready-made ones — most parents do now. Alternatively, some dry cleaners and alteration shops offer custom bag-making services.
- Multiple pairs of everything: Buy 2+ gym uniforms, uwabaki, and lunch napkins. They need washing, and your child needs a clean one the next day.
- The math set nightmare: The 算数セット has 100+ tiny pieces, each needing a name. This alone takes 1–2 hours. Use the smallest name stickers.
Related Articles
- Japan Public School Guide for Foreign Parents
- How to Enroll Your Child in Public School
- Uwabaki & Slippers Guide for School
Need More Help? Ask on LO-PAL
Can't find the right uwabaki size? Need help reading the school's supply list? Or someone to come with you to the school-designated shop? LO-PAL matches you with a local helper who has bought all this before. Post your request and get help navigating the shopping list — in person or online.
Written by
Founder, LO-PAL
Former Medical Coordinator for Foreign Patients (Ministry of Health programme) and legal affairs professional. Built LO-PAL from firsthand experience navigating life abroad.
Written with partial AI assistance
Read full bio →
