Guest Author - Sherry Van Der Elst

Established in 1966 as a national holiday to commemorate the anniversary of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Taiiku no hi is a day of fostering good health in mind and body.

In this spirit, government offices and most businesses close to allow people to get health exams, while schools and clubs sponsor field trips and sporting events in which the whole family participates.

Popular games include tug-of-war, the human pyramid and a variety of track and field contests. Japanese food vendors add to the festivities, offering everything from yaki ika and hiyashi udon to yakitori and yakisoba beneath their tents.