Pictures I want to share of interesting Japanese customs that may not be familiar to people from other countries. Well, of course, many of the diretories in this online album are about interesting Japanese customs (like Kevin's School in Japan), but these are things that don't fit in other categories, or that I especially want to highlight.
When school starts in April (Japanese school year is April to March!) the first graders will be sporting brand new leather backpacks. Boys will wear black and girls will wear red ones usually, but recently newer colors are also offered. In any case, the grandparents are expected to buy a $100 to $300 backpack for the kids. Sounds expensive, but they last the complete 6 years - are virtually indestructible, and weather proof! So it's really a good deal.
When school starts in April (Japanese school year is April to March!) the first graders will be sporting brand new leather backpacks. Boys will wear black and girls will wear red ones usually, but recently newer colors are also offered. In any case, the grandparents are expected to buy a $100 to $300 backpack for the kids. Sounds expensive, but they last the complete 6 years - are virtually indestructible, and weather proof! So it's really a good deal.
