Experience a Real Japanese Sports Day!

Step inside one of Japan’s most exciting school traditions and discover why Sports Day is one of the highlights of the Japanese primary school year.

Filled with authentic photographs, this reader introduces learners to the colourful world of Undōkai (Sports Day). Follow the different events throughout the day, from the opening ceremony and cheering squads to giant ball races, tug-of-war, obstacle races, and family competitions. Learners also discover how students work together in red and white teams while experiencing the excitement of this special annual event.

Additional captions and speech bubbles encourage learners to observe the photographs carefully, expand their vocabulary, and notice authentic cultural details beyond the main text. The combination of informative text and real-life photographs makes this reader both educational and enjoyable.

This reader is an excellent introduction to Japanese primary school life and helps learners develop reading confidence while gaining a deeper understanding of one of Japan’s most loved school traditions.

Language Features

Students will practise:

• Reading longer descriptive and informational texts using polite Japanese (です・ます)
• Sequencing events using connectors such as そして、それから、最初に、一番目
• Connecting ideas using ～て
• Giving reasons using ～から
• Comparing using ～より and ～ほうが
• Understanding sequencing with ～の後
• Reading conditionals using ～たら
• Recognising listing patterns using ～たり～たり
• Understanding expressions such as ～と言います and ～のは～です
• Learning vocabulary related to Japanese schools, sports events, teamwork, and celebrations

Details: 

Japanese Reader Level: 8
Recommended for: Advanced Learners
Language Focus: Descriptive and informational Japanese using polite forms with a range of JLPT N5–N4 grammar patterns
Vocabulary Theme: Japanese school life, sports events, teamwork, competitions, and everyday school vocabulary
Cultural Theme: Experiencing an authentic Japanese primary school Sports Day through real photographs

Character Count: 967
Pages: 25
Product Type: A5 saddle-stitched booklet
ISBN: 978-1-925808-06-3

Perfect For

• Secondary school Japanese programs
• Advanced Japanese learners
• JLPT N5–N4 learners
• Adult learners
• Home learning
• Japanese language classrooms

 Teaching & Learning Resources

Every reader includes free access to our Resource Library.

Included with every reader:

•  Audio recordings narrated by Mariko Sensei
•  English translation
•  Quizlet vocabulary activities

Also available for schools and teachers:

•  Class Sets with Online Flipbooks

💜 A Note from Mariko Sensei

Sports Day was one of my favourite events when I was in primary school in Japan.

When I was in Years 5 and 6, I was chosen to be a member of the cheering squad (おうえんだん). Rather than wearing a modern cheerleading uniform, we proudly wore traditional hakama, which reminded us of samurai. I still remember how exciting it felt to stand in front of the whole school, beating the drum, waving flags, and cheering for our team. We thought we looked incredibly cool!

I created this reader because Sports Day is much more than a day of races. It brings together teamwork, determination, school spirit, and family support. Through these authentic photographs, I hope learners can experience the excitement of a real Japanese primary school Sports Day and gain a deeper understanding of everyday school life in Japan.

Happy reading!

— Mariko Sensei

📖 Your Next Japanese Reader

Continue building your Japanese reading confidence with these engaging Level 8 readers:

• とけちゃった！ — Enjoy a heartwarming story about family, kindness, and unexpected surprises while strengthening your reading through an engaging narrative.
• かかしむら (Scarecrow Village)  — Discover one of Japan’s most extraordinary rural communities through authentic photographs and descriptive Japanese.
• ほごねこ ちいちゃん (Rescued Cat Chii-chan) — Follow the touching true story of a rescued cat while developing confidence with richer vocabulary and connected sentence patterns.

These Japanese readers are intended for individual use and extensive reading (tadoku).

© Mariko Earle. All rights reserved.