Ichinensei: A Child's First Year of Japanese Elementary School

Follow the first year of a Japanese ichinensei, from the April entrance ceremony and the new school bag to school lunch, walking to school, and settling in.

Published October 19, 2026 at 11:43 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: An ichinensei is a first-grade pupil in Japan. Children who are six years old on April 1 start elementary school that April, with a ceremony, a school bag called a randoseru, and a routine of lessons, school lunch and cleaning. The school year runs from April to March, and public tuition is free.

Who is an ichinensei

Ichinensei means "first-year student," and the word carries a warm cultural weight in Japan. It brings to mind a small child with a large new bag, bright yellow cap and a proud walk into school. Elementary school is the first stage of nine years of compulsory education, which run from age six to fifteen. Elementary school itself lasts six years.

Children who are six years old on April 1 enter elementary school that April, according to Nishi-Tokyo City's guide for foreign residents. Each year group therefore runs from children born on April 2 of one year to those born on April 1 of the next. The school year runs from April to March. Public elementary school tuition is free, while families pay for items such as school lunches and some materials. Textbooks are supplied at no charge, according to one municipal guide.

Preparing before April

Preparation often begins in the autumn before entry. Local boards of education send a notice to residents with a child of the right age, and in many areas there is a health check and orientation meeting in the months before April. One university guide for international families mentions an orientation and health checkup held in October of the year before enrollment, plus chances to visit classes in late May and early November. Dates differ by city.

Families who are newly arrived register at the city office first, then follow instructions from the board of education about the enrollment procedure and the assigned school. The education ministry also publishes a guidebook for foreign students starting school in seven languages. Taking a short list of questions to the school meeting, including allergies and any language needs, helps teachers plan for the first weeks. It is also a good time to ask about the route to school, the arrangements for children who need extra Japanese support, and how the school handles absences during the first term.

The randoseru and school supplies

The randoseru is the stiff-sided backpack that many first graders carry. Families traditionally buy one when the child starts first grade, and the child uses it until sixth grade. An empty bag weighs roughly 1.2 kilograms, and prices range widely, from tens of thousands of yen upward. Some schools do not require a randoseru specifically, so check the school's guidance before buying.

Other items are listed by the school. A city guide mentions textbooks, notebooks, indoor shoes, PE clothes, a cap and a ruler, and says some items are needed at the start of the year while others are requested later. Every belonging needs the child's name. Public schools often have no uniform, but some do, and a yellow safety cap for the commute is common in many areas.

The entrance ceremony

Elementary school begins with a nyugakushiki, an entrance ceremony, typically held in early April. First graders arrive with their families, often dressed neatly, and parents commonly take photos at the school gate. The ceremony includes greetings from the principal and a welcome from older students, and the new class meets its homeroom teacher.

Parents usually receive a stack of papers on or near that day, covering the school year calendar, contact methods, lunch payment and emergency procedures. Keeping a folder for these documents saves time later. It is a good moment to ask how the school communicates, for example through a daily contact notebook or a messaging app, and which events will need a parent to attend.

The daily rhythm of a first grader

Many children walk to school in neighborhood groups, with older pupils or volunteers along the route, though practice differs by area. The day includes lessons, breaks, school lunch and cleaning. Children learn to read and write in the early months, starting with the basic phonetic characters, and they practice routines such as lining up, greeting the teacher and tidying their desks.

School lunch is a central part of the day. A municipal guide explains that lunch is served on weekdays, that children serve each other and eat together with their teacher, and that a dietitian plans the menu. That guide lists a lunch cost of about 4,000 yen a month, but amounts vary, and many municipalities now reduce or cover lunch costs, so check the current rules. Families should tell the teacher about allergies or special needs. After lunch, pupils and teachers clean the classroom and other areas together.

Adjustment and the first months

Starting school is a big change, since kindergarten and daycare are usually more play-centered than a first-grade classroom. Japanese educators and media sometimes talk about the adjustment period for new first graders, and schools generally plan the early weeks with gentle routines, plenty of explanation and a lot of repetition. Tiredness in the first month is normal, and many children need earlier bedtimes for a while. Simple comforts, such as a favorite snack after school and time to play outside, help children recover their energy for the next day.

Working parents often pay attention to after-school care, called gakudo or jido club. A Kanazawa University guide for international families says clubs in that area cost roughly 7,000 to 10,000 yen a month and that parents contact each club directly. Because waiting lists and hours vary by city, applying early and checking the opening hours against the parents' work schedule is sensible.

Tips for overseas parents

Practice the commute with the child before the first day, including the route, the crossing points and what to do if something unexpected happens. Teach the child to recognize their name in the way the school writes it, and practice simple routines such as changing indoor shoes, hanging up a bag and carrying a handkerchief. These small habits are commonly practiced in kindergarten and are reinforced in first grade.

Learn how the school communicates. Ask whether messages come in a paper notebook, on an app or by email, and whether English is accepted. Parents who have a child entering mid-year or from overseas can ask the city about placement by age and language support. Rules, fees and schedules differ between cities, so check the current details with the board of education and the school itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age do children start elementary school in Japan?

Children who are six years old on April 1 start that April, so a first-grade class runs from children born on April 2 of one year to those born on April 1 of the next. The six years of elementary school are followed by three years of junior high, and together these nine years make up compulsory education. Check with your city for exact registration dates.

Do first graders need a randoseru?

Many families buy one because it is traditional and designed for six years of daily use, but schools differ in what they require. Some allow other bags. The school's entrance guidance explains what is expected, so check before buying and compare weight and fit, since children carry it every day.

Is Japanese elementary school free for foreign children?

Public elementary school tuition is free, and textbooks are provided, according to municipal guidance for foreign residents. Families may still pay for school lunches, depending on the city, and for certain materials, and financial help is available in some cases. Ask your local board of education about the process and the current costs.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Japanese Parenting Secrets That Create Calm, Independent Children is available on Amazon.

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