The Cultural Festival (文化祭, bunkasai) is one of the most public-facing events in the Japanese school calendar. For one or two days, the school opens its doors to parents, relatives, alumni, and local community members, inviting them to celebrate the students’ hard work and development into capable adults.
For ALTs, “visibility” is a key point. How you engage during the Cultural Festival affects how students, coworkers, and parents perceive you long after the fun ends.
And while this is a very fun event it’s also a moment where the “inside” of the school is put on display for the outside world.
What Is the Cultural Festival (Bunkasai)?
Cultural Festival is an annual, school-wide event, usually held once per year in Junior High and High Schools. It is typically scheduled on a weekend so parents and community members can attend.
Students prepare projects, performances, and activities over the course of several weeks, all of which are presented to visitors during the festival.
Classrooms are transformed into themed spaces. Students become hosts, guides, and presenters. Teachers shift from instructors to supervisors, supporters, and representatives of the school.
At its core, Cultural Festival is meant to show that students are developing into capable, cooperative, and socially functional adults.
This means that the school’s reputation (and the reputation of the teachers) is on the line. A poor performance means the community loses faith in the school. The stress on your colleagues is very high around this time.
What ALTs Are Usually Expected to Do
You are unlikely to have a single, clearly defined task for the entire day. Expectations vary by school, but common responsibilities include:
- Being present and visible throughout the event
- Assisting with class activities or booths
- Assisting visitors who don’t speak Japanese
- Supporting student performances or presentations
- Engaging politely with parents and visitors
- Staying until the event officially ends and cleanup is finished
Your primary role is not leadership or expertise. It is participation, support, and atmosphere.
Parents may interact with you directly. Even brief conversations or casual greetings contribute to how the school (and you) are perceived. This is one of the few times many parents will see you outside of a classroom setting, and impressions formed here tend to stick.
What the Day Typically Looks Like
On Cultural Festival day, the school opens to parents and the wider community. Visitors move freely through classrooms, watch performances, and interact with students.
Throughout the building, you may see:
- Class exhibitions and themed rooms
- Stage performances such as music, drama, or dance
- Student-run activities or demonstrations
- Food stalls or cafés (more common in high schools)
The overall atmosphere is upbeat and lively, but still controlled. Students are “on display,” and teachers are actively monitoring, supporting, and representing the school.
This is not a day to hide in the staff room. Being a friendly presence, even if you don’t speak Japanese, goes a long way towards building your reputation.
Tips for First-Time ALTs
If this is your first Cultural Festival, a few practical points will make the day go more smoothly:
- Smile, greet visitors, and follow your coworkers’ lead
- Stay visible and engaged, even when you’re not assigned a task
- If you have joined any clubs, make sure to make an appearance at their booth
- If you’re unsure how to dress, ask in advance
Whether you intend to or not, you are part of the school’s “front desk” during Cultural Festival. Act accordingly.
If You Do Cultural Festival Right
Handled well, Cultural Festival strengthens your position within the school and the community.
It builds trust with coworkers, improves how parents perceive you, and makes future interactions smoother. In some cases, it can even lead to informal networking, invitations to local events, or other ways to deepen your relationship with the community.
More than anything, it signals that you understand your role not just as a classroom assistant, but as a visible member of the school and its surrounding community.
Beyond that, the Cultural Festival is just plain fun. This will be one of the cooler things you experience as an ALT, so lean into it!
What to Read Next
Sports Day (Undōkai)
Another major school event with very different expectations.
JTE Collaboration
How school events affect your working relationships.
Life in the Japanese Workplace
Understanding visibility, effort, and group participation.
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