Standard public and private schools in Japan do not have regular classes on Sundays in 2026. Historically, Japan moved to a five-day school week (Monday through Friday) in the early 2000s to align with international standards and reduce student stress. However, many schools still hold voluntary or mandatory club activities (Bukatsudo) on Sundays, particularly for sports teams like baseball, soccer, or kendo that are preparing for tournaments. Additionally, "Juku" (cram schools) and private tutoring centers often operate on Sundays, as this is the primary time students use for intensive exam preparation. You may also see schools open for special annual events like "Sports Day" (Undokai) or cultural festivals, which are often held on a weekend to allow parents to attend; in these cases, the following Monday is usually given as a day off in lieu. While the "official" school gate might be open for these activities, the standard curriculum is strictly a weekday affair, preserving the weekend for rest, family time, or the extracurricular "hustle" that defines much of Japanese youth culture.