School Year and School Days
Sep 14, 2007 | 1:13 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,573
School Year and School Days
The wife and I didn't make it to Japan this year so now we're aiming for fall 2008. We typically like to avoid going to places when school's out (summer, spring break, Christmas break, etc) to minimize on crowds and prices.
Just curious if anyone can provide some insight on the typical school year and school days in Japan. We're thinking about traveling around or just past labour day but figured the Japanese school year might not coincide with the typical North American school year.
TIA.
Just curious if anyone can provide some insight on the typical school year and school days in Japan. We're thinking about traveling around or just past labour day but figured the Japanese school year might not coincide with the typical North American school year.
TIA.
Sep 14, 2007 | 1:34 am
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,984
Kids up through High School level will back in session by 9/1 and the college kids will be back in school by about 9/20 or so.
Post Labor Day will be a very good time but that is seasonally a nothing time IMHO. I would consider holding off for October and enjoy more of the Autumn of Japan.
Post Labor Day will be a very good time but that is seasonally a nothing time IMHO. I would consider holding off for October and enjoy more of the Autumn of Japan.
The wife and I didn't make it to Japan this year so now we're aiming for fall 2008. We typically like to avoid going to places when school's out (summer, spring break, Christmas break, etc) to minimize on crowds and prices.
Just curious if anyone can provide some insight on the typical school year and school days in Japan. We're thinking about traveling around or just past labour day but figured the Japanese school year might not coincide with the typical North American school year.
TIA.
Just curious if anyone can provide some insight on the typical school year and school days in Japan. We're thinking about traveling around or just past labour day but figured the Japanese school year might not coincide with the typical North American school year.
TIA.
Sep 14, 2007 | 4:51 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Japan
Posts: 1,062
I think my son's elementary school finishes on Christmas Day or Boxing day this year and will go back around the 8th or 9th of Jan. Last day of the school year should be the Friday closest to the 20th of March and school will go back the 2nd Monday in April. Summer holidays start the Friday closest to July 20th and the kids go back as close to Sep 1 as possible. This, of course, varies from school to school so treat it as a guide only.
Sep 14, 2007 | 9:07 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
Programs: UA, NW
Posts: 3,752
Also, if you travel during the school year, you may run into herds of children and teens being taken on class trips.
This is a particular hazard in Kyoto and Nara.
I once arrived in Nara in May only to find that it had been taken over by 13-year-olds in various school uniforms.
They were harmless and even charming at times, but there were so many that they literally blocked some of the narrower streets as they sauntered along window shopping, stopping for snacks at vending machines, and talking, either in person or on their cell phones.
This is a particular hazard in Kyoto and Nara.
I once arrived in Nara in May only to find that it had been taken over by 13-year-olds in various school uniforms.
They were harmless and even charming at times, but there were so many that they literally blocked some of the narrower streets as they sauntered along window shopping, stopping for snacks at vending machines, and talking, either in person or on their cell phones.
Sep 14, 2007 | 10:05 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,573
Thanks for the feedback.
It won't be the end of the world for us if we run into bunches kids or other crowds for that matter. Part of the experience is the crowds I guess (as it is for most urban place we visit).
We're not set on going around Labour Day. We just want to go when it's still somewhat warmer and the days are also still decent daylight. Going when we can visit/hike Mt. Fuji would be nice too but I'll save the logistics of that for another thread (yes, I know Sept is out of the regular climbing season).
It won't be the end of the world for us if we run into bunches kids or other crowds for that matter. Part of the experience is the crowds I guess (as it is for most urban place we visit).
We're not set on going around Labour Day. We just want to go when it's still somewhat warmer and the days are also still decent daylight. Going when we can visit/hike Mt. Fuji would be nice too but I'll save the logistics of that for another thread (yes, I know Sept is out of the regular climbing season).
Sep 15, 2007 | 1:41 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: YYC - soon to be 東京
Programs: AC Prestige, Marriott Silver, Hyatt Gold, Hertz #1 Gold, Radisson Gold Elite, HHonors
Posts: 1,830
Ran into some high school chicks that wanted to have their pictures taken with me at Tokyo Tower last year!! And I do have the picture here. Talk about crazy!
Sanosuke!
Sanosuke!
Sep 17, 2007 | 5:38 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: EWR
Programs: UA (former CO), TrueBlue, Etc.
Posts: 291
Ran into some high school chicks that wanted to have their pictures taken with me at Tokyo Tower last year!! And I do have the picture here. Talk about crazy!
Sanosuke!
Sanosuke!
To the OP, I wouldn't worry about the "out of school" crowds - major tourist areas of Japan will be pretty much the same any time of year. On the other hand, I wouldn't recommend visiting Hawaii or Guam during those school holiday vacations...unless you really wanted to see a lot of Japanese tourists.
In regards to the weather, it's fairly mild all year long - there wasn't a lot of snow while I was there, and as Canadians, you'll probably think it's downright balmy!