Bukatsu, or club activities, are a big part of school life in Japan. In the majority of schools, all kids are required to become a member of a club, be it track and field, judo, or even computer club, and have to attend every session regardless of the time of year and the weather (yes, athletics club kids jog up and down the hallways when it’s raining heavily). Naturally, there are distinct levels of coolness that students are more than aware of when they sign up, with clubs like baseball generally considered to be for the jocks, and soccer-bu for those who want to look good while sharpening their shooting skills.
Japanese archery, or kyūdō to use its native moniker, may not be considered the coolest club to belong to by kids in Japan, but as this video from Japanese culture blogger Danny Choo shows, as far as non-Japanese are concerned, it’s pretty epic, and if we were somehow reincarnated as a Japanese high schooler it’s definitely the club we’d sign up for.
Kyūdō, literally meaning “way of the bow”, dates back to the Yayoi Era (300 BCE – 250 CE), and at one time was an essential part of education under samurai rule. Just like how judo, kendo, and the like have survived as traditional martial arts, kyūdō is steeped in tradition and is much more than simply firing a few sticks at a white circle.
To take a closer look at kyūdō and see a typical school club in action, Danny Choo headed to Yashio High School in Tokyo for his website, Culture Japan.
▼ After slipping on a traditional hakuma, Danny tells us that “50% of people who try this for the first time hurt themselves.” Watch those fingers, sir!
▼ Sato-san shows him the ropes
▼ And soon after Danny takes aim, channelling the force as he does.
▼ So close!
Clearly, it’s not as simple as elk-riding, rooftop-running Prince Ashitaka makes it look.
Here’s Danny’s video in full. We think you’ll agree that this is one of the coolest school clubs any kid could hope to belong to.
I’m beginning to think maybe heading home at 3:30 and playing SNES games until my parents came home and made me do my homework wasn’t the best use of my formative years…
Japanese Youth Conference petitions government to end compulsory after-school club activities
Japanese high school kendo coach caught forcing students to pay birthday-tribute money
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Police in Japan warn of scam artists posing as cops to collect fines for breaking new bike rules
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Sanrio’s best-loved butthole defies physics in adorable sumo collaboration[Photos]
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Tokyo police issue advice to women on safe use of elevators, includes button mashing
Poop is in full bloom at the Unko Museums for cherry blossom season
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says