JAPAN IN
ONE MINUTE 
~”Bukatsu” in Japan: How School Clubs Shape Discipline, Friendship, and Culture~
Hey Issy, I passed by a junior high school today and saw students playing soccer in the schoolyard.
But today is Saturday. Don’t they have a day off?
That’s probably not a class, but “Bukatsu“.
“Bukatsu“? What’s that?
“Bukatsu” are school based clubs that cover sports, arts, and cultural activities.
They are really important places for students to bond with classmates and practice skills.
Club activities? That sounds fun!
What’s unique is that almost every school lets students join for free.
Of course, if it’s a sports club, you need to buy your own equipment or uniforms, but you don’t pay to participate daily.
And the coaches are usually teachers from the school, not outside professionals.
Wow, that’s really different from Sweden!
Most after school activities are organized outside of school and usually cost money to join.
It’s amazing that Japanese schools give students so many options for free.
There are two main categories: sports clubs and cultural clubs. Here are some examples.
Sports clubs
Baseball Club: Super strict, with long practices. Members have to shave their heads.
Soccer Club: Very popular, especially with boys, and members are admired by girls.
Basketball Club: Popular for both boys and girls.
Track and Field Club: Includes running, jumping, and throwing events.
Judo and Kendo Clubs: Traditional Japanese martial arts.
Cultural clubs
Brass Band: Performs at school events, very popular among girls.
Tea Ceremony Club: Practices the Japanese tea ceremony and sometimes holds events.
Calligraphy Club: Focuses on traditional Japanese calligraphy.
Art Club: Painting, sculpture, and more.
Drama Club: For students who love theater.
Each school offers different clubs, but these are some common examples.
Free club activities? Lucky students!
I was in the swimming club during junior high and high school.
In summer vacation, we trained very hard. I swam about 10 kilometers every day in the school pool.
Look at this photo! My skin got so dark from the sun!
10 kilometers every day?! That sounds like professional training!
No wonder Japanese students learn such discipline through “Bukatsu“.
Wow…I’d be exhausted after just one lap!
Summary
In Japanese junior high and high schools, students join “Bukatsu” which are free after school clubs for sports, arts, or cultural activities. Led by teachers, these clubs help students build discipline, skills, and friendships through daily practice, sometimes as intense as professional training.
