It's hard to forget Japanese kindergarten sports days

The view from our house. Note the flags – essential decorations!

Today it is hard to escape the annual Japanese Sports Day tradition. Though we no longer have kids in the Japanese system we practically live next to a Japanese kindergarten. I knew it was coming because they've been practising for weeks. During the last six week I've often seen mums and grandmas hovering around outside the boundary fence of the kindergarten, looking for a preview of the much anticipated event. Today many of those same mums will have been up early preparing a special picnic for their family – gourmet style.

It's been hard to ignore today because of the increased foot traffic outside our house and the loud music accompanying most of the dances and games (yes, a bit different to an Aussie sports day, more like a festival or highly organised church picnic). As we rode to church we passed the uniformed man (see him in the photo above) helping traffic to run smoothly. On our ride we passed another kindergarten doing the same thing on this mild autumn day – they've struck perfect weather (I recall the sports day we spent huddled under canvas shelters and umbrellas and walking along planks over soggy ground!).

I just had to take a photo of this decoration at the front gate (there was one on the other gate post too). Blown up cartoon characters, but must they be tied there like prisoners? I understand that they don't want them blown away nor stolen, but really, wasn't there a less obtrusive way to secure them?

Then I've added some photos from the history books. Past kindergarten sports days when we were one of the admiring families in the crowd, or in the races (as you'll see me in a red shirt running a three-legged race with our middle son).

My attempt at a "gourmet" picnic at our final Japanese kindergarten sports day.

Ah, fond memories, but in some ways I'm glad that they are past.