Sports Day (Supotsu no Hi, formerly Health and Sports Day)

What Is Sports Day?

The second Monday of October is Sports Day, a national holiday in Japan. It was established in 1966 as "Health and Sports Day" on October 10 to commemorate the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, held on October 10, 1964. Under the "Happy Monday" system, the holiday moved to the second Monday of October in 2000, and in 2020 it was renamed "Sports Day." According to Japan's national holiday law, its purpose is "to enjoy sports, cultivate a spirit of respect for others, and wish for a healthy and vibrant society."

Why October 10, and How the Holiday Has Changed

Weather statistics were consulted when choosing the date of the opening ceremony.

• After the autumn rains: The date had to be fixed more than two years in advance, when no one could forecast the weather for a specific day. Based on past statistics, October 10 was reportedly chosen as a time when the autumn rainy spell is over, clear skies are relatively likely, and it is not too cold for outdoor events. It is often said that October 10 is a "singular day" for sunny weather, but some point out that the chance of clear skies is only slightly higher, not enough to call it a true singularity.
• It rained the day before: On October 9, 1964, it rained in the Kanto region, but on the 10th a high-pressure system brought clear skies, which became known as "Olympic weather."
• From "physical education" to "sports": A 2018 revision of the holiday law changed the name from "Taiiku no Hi" to "Sports no Hi," effective 2020. The change reflects a shift from the school-centered idea of physical education toward sports that everyone can enjoy.

Trivia About the 1964 Tokyo Olympics

The Games that gave rise to Sports Day left behind many stories that are still told today.

• Asia's first Olympics: The 1964 Tokyo Games were the first Olympics held in Asia. The Tokaido Shinkansen and the Metropolitan Expressway opened in time for the Games, which showed the world Japan's postwar recovery.
• The "Oriental Witches": Japan's women's volleyball team won the gold medal. The TV ratings for the final against the Soviet Union were extremely high and are still cited as a record for sports broadcasts.
• Exceptions in 2020 and 2021: For the Tokyo 2020 Games, Sports Day was moved to July 24 in 2020 and, after the Games were postponed, to July 23 (the day of the opening ceremony) in 2021.

Sports Trivia

• Fitness events: Around Sports Day, fitness tests and sports events are held across Japan, and the government's annual physical fitness survey often makes the news around this time.
• Walking is easy exercise: It needs no special equipment and fits into a commute or lunch break. Even walking one extra train stop is a good start.
• The word "flow": Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi described flow as the state of deep absorption that occurs when the difficulty of a task matches your skill. It is similar to what athletes call "the zone."
• Team sports and the workplace: Calling out to teammates and anticipating their moves have a lot in common with teamwork at the office.

Tips for Enjoying Sports Day

• Look for free sports events at local gyms and parks. Many trial sessions and fitness tests are held around Sports Day.
• Add one way to move during the workday, such as a walking meeting or taking the stairs.
• Try a sport you have never played. Bouldering, Mölkky, and other beginner-friendly activities are increasingly popular.
• Watch a game in person. Seeing top athletes up close shows you how deep a sport can be.

A Day to Enjoy Autumn by Moving Your Body

Sports Day is a holiday that carries forward the excitement of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The date of the second Monday in October changes every year, but it always falls in the pleasant season of clear autumn skies. You don't need a serious workout — taking a longer walk or playing outside with family or coworkers is enough. Why not spend the day remembering how fun it is to move?