Swimming lessons and swim teams are one of the many after-school activities offered to students.
An important element in every Japanese student's life is after-school activities. Japanese students are generally expected to choose one activity that they will stay with for most of their school career. When making this choice, Japanese students have plenty of options, ranging from sports clubs to special interest groups.
Swimming
Swimming lessons and swim teams are one of the many after-school activities offered to students.
Swimming is very popular amongst Japanese students, especially since many Japanese schools have a swimming pool on the grounds. Early on, swimming lessons are part of the Japanese curriculum, but can also be taken as an after-school activity.
Baseball
Baseball is incredibly popular in Japan.
Incredibly popular in Japanese culture, baseball is one of Japan's favorite sports. After school, Japanese students may choose to join a junior baseball league as an extracurricular activity. The rules in Japanese baseball are the same as those in the U.S.
Table Tennis
Table tennis is another popular activity among students.
Also called "Ping-Pong," many Japanese students--both male and female--take part in this sport as their after-school activity. The game itself is based on quick-reflexes and cunning.
Kendo
Members of the kendo club wear protective gear at all times.
Kendo clubs practice the art of Japanese sword fighting. Although the students don't use real swords, they often practice this sport using replicas made of bamboo and wear protective gear when dueling.
Origami
Origami is the process used to make paper cranes like this one.
Origami is a Japanese form of paper-craft that utilizes folding to create objects and animals out of a single square of paper. Origami is an activity that's recognized across the globe.
Shogi
Shogi pieces are different from European chess pieces.
The Japanese equivalent to chess, Shogi focuses on the same concept of capturing your opponents king. However, the rules, game pieces and board are slightly different from European chess (see "Shogi-Rules" in Resources).
Other Activities
Japanese students aren't limited to baseball, swimming, Kendo and Shogi. Countless other activities are available including computer clubs, Karate, ballet and studies in musical instruments or foreign languages. Many of the same activities available to American students are also available to Japanese students. The decision is up to the individual and there are plenty of options for every student.
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