School life is full of childhood memories. However, when we look back on it later, we often wonder, "Was this only in Hokkaido?" Here are some "Hokkaido-specific" stories from school.

1. No gym clothes

Children in Hokkaido don't change clothes for P.E. class, and go to the ground or gymnasium in their usual clothes to take classes. In Honshu, it is normal to change into gym clothes, but in Hokkaido, there is no concept of changing clothes. So, if it gets dirty, it's no good. Of course, they don't bring any clothes to change into, so if it gets dirty, they borrow clothes from the nurse's office or somewhere else to get by.

2. The number of days in summer and winter vacations are roughly the same

Compared to Honshu, where summer vacations are long and winter vacations are short, schools in Hokkaido have almost the same number of days for summer and winter vacations. There are various theories as to why, but the most likely is that the former Ministry of Education issued an exception because it was difficult to go to school when roads were blocked by snow.

However, it is still true that roads sometimes get covered in snow, so although summer vacation is a little short, it's nice for kids to have a long winter vacation.

3. Shoes are optional

In Hokkaido, schools are free to wear any kind of shoes. Therefore, children can freely choose their favorite shoes, whether they are cool or cute. Also, many children wear regular sneakers instead of ballet shoes. Compared to Honshu, where there are designated shoes, it may be enviable that they can enjoy fashionable footwear.

4. Don't use a school bag until the sixth grade.

In Honshu, it is common for children to use school backpacks until the sixth grade. I have seen many sixth graders with big bodies and small school backpacks. However, elementary school students in Hokkaido almost never use school backpacks until the sixth grade.

Around the fourth grade, the number of kids who prefer backpacks starts to appear one by one. Then, by the time they reach sixth grade, the idea that "carrying a school bag is uncool" starts to spread. As a result, there are almost no kids who use school bags anymore.

5. Swimming lessons are for elementary school students only

Pool lessons are held during physical education classes. Japanese schools first started holding pool lessons about 60 years ago. In Honshu, students from elementary school to junior high and high school take pool lessons, but in Hokkaido, only elementary school students take them.

The reason for this seems to be that Hokkaido is a cold region, so it is difficult to maintain the water temperature, and pools tend to deteriorate due to freezing in winter. In addition, while many schools in Honshu require students to wear school swimsuits, Hokkaido is free to do so! So, in the summer, students come to class in whatever swimsuit they like, which makes them look very colorful.

6. School trips may take place within Hokkaido

In Hokkaido, you have to cross the sea to go to other prefectures. By the time students reach high school age, almost all schools go outside the prefecture or even the country, but for elementary and junior high school students, school trips may only be within Hokkaido.

Those who live in southern Hokkaido, such as Hakodate, may go to Tohoku or other areas. However, many schools have travel distance issues, so school trips tend to be within Hokkaido. I'm from the eastern side of Hokkaido, so it takes about 8 hours by car just to get to Hakodate. Considering the travel distance, it may be inevitable that school trips end up being within Hokkaido.

In any case, schools in Hokkaido are free!

From swimsuits to indoor shoes and gym clothes, there is no uniformity in appearance at schools in Hokkaido. By the way, in winter, the children are free to wear whatever ski wear they like. Apart from the fact that if you get it dirty during gym class, that day is over, Hokkaido schools, with their high level of freedom, may be full of fun things.

*Image is for illustrative purposes only.