The disruption and change to daily life cannot be overstated

it's not just the kids who have to learn a whole new system — it's the parents too!

Here's what Life in Japan is like when your kids enter a new Japanese school.

[Life in Japan Theme Song]

Sakura marks not only the beginning of Spring in Japan, but one of the times of greatest change within society.

Yes, great transitions often come right at the beginning of April, when people start new jobs, move to new places

or, in our case, start attending different schools

You do your best to prepare for it, but are we truly ready?

What's going on?

Um, Joshua's getting stuff for shyogako (elementary school)

Becca and Anna are getting stuff for chuogako (junior high)

Oh my goodness, really?

And I don't need anything.

And you don't need anything this time, you're all set.

This store specializes in selling things needed for our local schools, and there's a lot a things you have to buy in preparation.

Depending on the school, you will need not only school supplies,

but also uniforms, water bottles, P.E. clothes, special backpacks and outerwear,

bags and containers, not to mention all kinds of other speciality equipment.

We'll show you all what goes in Joshua's backpack.

Is that cool? Yea, I want that one.

Oh K.

Oh that looks like the perfect one for you, let's get it? Yep.

It's time to get ready for school, that means going to the bank

And finishing the last-minute school supplies.

Well, at least the rain is romantic, huh?

OK, so Joshua, we got him registered for his lunches.

Now we need to go to Kuroganeya to buy some last-minute...I need some iron-on name tags.

Momma likes this store. She does.

Ruth will find a way to get this store, but we actually do need it.

I found what will work

You write their names on there, you can stick it on their things

OK, so Joshua starts 1st grade tomorrow and these are the supplies he's going to need.

First of all he needs a randoseru, this is the backpack he will wear/use for the next 6 years.

I know it's a bright blue, but we let him pick it and helpfully he likes it for 6 years

If not, we'll put a cover on the top.

And then every kid needs this... this is your earthquake [hat]

If there's an earthquake, you put it on your head and you follow your teacher.

But then it goes inside of this bag,

And then this goes over the back of your seat.

All these things he'll use for six years.

This is the bag—and it's tons of bags—

This is the bag, he needs a bag like this just to carry all his supplies in to and from school.

This is for lunch. This is his little lunch bag and this is his place mat.

And he carries this, it hangs on the outside of his backpack everyday.

Like this...

Ta-da.

And then his uabaki bag and his uabakis (inside shoes)

He takes these to school on Monday and brings them back on Friday and we wash them.

And this he carries in that bag.

And then this bag is for his sports clothes...

He has his shirt, his pants and his hat

And they all go in there

And he also, he takes it on Monday and brings it back on Friday and we wash it.

And send it back.

OK, and now for supplies.

When he goes tomorrow and he gets all his books, he'll also get a box like this where they put a bunch of things in it.

This is Sarah's, I'm not going to open it because it's a disaster inside of it.

This also get their renrakucho which is a notebook where they write down their homework everyday.

And they also need pencils and stuff, so this is his new pencil case

He puts his pencils in it and an eraser.

Permeant marker goes there.

He needs crayons, he needs glue, these are extra pencils.

Uh colored pencils, scissors, tape, origami

And usually also a notebook that they can just draw in if they're bored or sitting around.

Hopefully that answer a lot of your questions,

If not you can mention them in the comments and I can try to answer them for you

Yeah, this is my 4th kid, so I've got this down.

Now what they need in junior high, that is just not known yet.

We'll find out tomorrow

And with things ready to go, we decided to enjoy one last picnic under the cherry blossoms before the school year got going again.

Look at this, so pretty! So cool!

It's the rocky-rock crossing! Oh Sarah, do you like the Rocky-rock crossing?

Oh this is cool — so pretty!

We found a good spot! A good spot for lunch.

I'm going to try a sakura Oh are you? That could be tough.

[imitating duck sounds]

Some ducks are like "boy, that looks good! Yum!"

It's chow time. Chow.

I dropped it.

Oh no Becca! Emergency, Emergency! Sad news!

Oh look, it's standing on a rock!

Give me more camera! If you don't, you know what's going to happen!

I want to be on Life in Japan!

And with that, we made our way back home — tomorrow would be a big day.

The big sisters are going into Junior High school,

He's got such crazy hair...

Oh, a nice haircut for the first day of elementary school, oh yea!

Japan's culture is full of ceremony and tradition, and no where can you see that better than in the first day of a new school.

Today we will have Joshua's entrance ceremony in the morning and soon after the girl's junior high entrance ceremony in the afternoon.

There's a mix of excitement and a little bit of nervousness over what is about to happen.

Oh my goodness! Ready to learn.

Whoa! Or fall over! Don't fall over.

That's not a good... Start.

Good start. OK, stand here in front.

What should I do with this?

Right here, give it to me.

Wait, am I going in it?! Yea.

Right here in front of them

Here we go — that Sakura is practically done, and we're heading off to the new year of school.

It's just us today Sarah Bara, but tomorrow Joshua and your official graduation to older sister.

Oh what a difference from before! Look how everything is blooming and green!

A little after walking Sarah to school, it was time for Joshua's entrance ceremony,

and Joshua was ready to move up in the world.

Oh, you look so cool Dude! Oh my goodness!

Joshua, look where you're walking here, huh?

Your sisters walked the same way before you, and now you get to walk this way.

Are you excited? Yea.

Oh yea.

The entrance ceremony introduces the parents and students to the school and staff,

and with a lot of formality lets you know that things are different now.

You go home with a head swimming in information and tons of paperwork to fill out.

At least this is our 4th kid doing this, but what comes next will be all new to us.

OK Dude- you did it, didn't you?!

Officially in Elementary school.

Oh girls, the big moment comes!

Here we go, we're walking. We're on our way. Look at the pretty Sakura trees, my goodness!

Are you swimming in papers?

We were immediately struck by how similar the Entrance Ceremonies were — even the gymnasiums looked alike!

There was a sense of familiarity with it, and yet you can tell that Junior High is a different experience all together.

It's the next step of the journey, new for Becca and Anna and new for us as parents in Japan.

What did you girls think about your entrance ceremony? Fun.

Was it fun? Uh huh.

And the classes and your teachers?! Girl teachers!

I was excited for that!

So all our kids have— Sarah, Becca and Anna have girls [teachers] and Joshua has a boy.

Wow, just right, isn't it?

So then tomorrow?

Mommy has to make lunch Lunch!

For five days!

For five days?! Are we back in preschool?!

Yes! Uniform, bento... Big backpack...

And 45-minute walk. Oh my.

What are we going to do tonight to celebrate?

Kurazushi. What?

Kurazushi! Oh, Kurazushi.

Girls, this is the park where you grew up. And now you're walking by it.

Saying goodbye to it.

Playtime is over.

Aw, I need playtime. You need playtime, I know.

[Everybody talking]

There's only a 20-minute break for lunch...

But you have 10 minute breaks in-between...

Should we go to Kurazushi with your uniforms on?

Yes. No!

Mommy doesn't want to have to wash it, or get dirty with soy sauce.

Alright, Kurazushi, a celebration of Rebecca, Anna and Joshua going into new schools

And Sarah moving up into the third grade as the big sister.

Yes! There's yours

Seared salmon and cheese. Do it — 4, order, thank you.

She pulls it apart, let's see: pro! Chopstick pro.

Hashi pro. I am too!

You too? I've been using it for 3 years.

Is she pro? She's pro!

Becca, the whole thing, no problem. Whoops!

Lost some points— oh! But recovered!

Chopstick pro. I've been using this for 6 years.

Six years, huh?

Oh, Daddy's salmon with onion came. Yum! Yum!

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