On July 10, Sophia University’s Yotsuya Campus hosted Sophia Yukata Day 2026. Under the first cloudless blue skies the event has enjoyed in several years, the campus came alive with the vibrant colors of yukata as students, faculty, and staff gathered to celebrate, creating a festive atmosphere that captured the spirit of a traditional Japanese summer.
Yukata Day was established to provide international students with an opportunity to experience Japanese culture while fostering interaction among students, faculty, and staff through spending the day together in yukata. First launched in 2013 as part of the University’s 100th Anniversary commemorative celebrations, the event marked its 13th year in 2026.
This year’s theme, “Spreading a Moment of Japanese Elegance at Sophia,” reflected the hope that members of Sophia’s diverse community would come together in yukata and share the beauty of Japanese summer traditions. The event was planned and organized by nexnect, a student extracurricular organization, which coordinated a variety of activities across the campus.
Visitors enjoyed a wide range of programs, including hands-on Japanese cultural experiences, traditional festival games (ennichi), live musical performances, and photo spots. Yukata were also available for purchase on campus, allowing many participants to change into their new attire and immediately join the festivities. At Hoffman Hall, a dressing room offered both a self-service changing area and a complimentary yukata dressing service by reservation.
A Tanabata bamboo display, organized in collaboration with the Center for Language Education and Research, was installed on the first floor of Building No. 6. Students wrote their wishes on colorful paper strips (tanzaku), filling the bamboo with messages in Japanese and many other languages that beautifully reflected the University’s multicultural community.
Outside Building No. 6, a traditional festival area featured complimentary games such as target shooting and ring toss, attracting enthusiastic crowds eager to win prizes. The New Swing Jazz Orchestra entertained visitors with lively performances, adding to the festive atmosphere. Another popular attraction was a complimentary shaved ice giveaway organized by SSIC, where students cooled off from the summer heat while enjoying conversations with friends.
The University’s Calligraphy Club and Tea Ceremony Club also offered hands-on cultural experiences. International students dressed in yukata had the opportunity to practice Japanese calligraphy and learn the etiquette of the tea ceremony, deepening their appreciation of Japan’s rich cultural heritage.
The co-chairs of Sophia Yukata Day 2026, Kazuki Ikariishi and Yuki Aso of nexnect, reflected on this year’s celebration.
“Blessed with beautiful summer weather, this year’s Yukata Day welcomed many members of the Sophia community, who enjoyed spending the day together in colorful yukata. Through new collaborations, we expanded the range of activities, enhanced nexnect’s signature programs, and introduced refreshed photo spots, creating new experiences for both first-time and returning participants. We sincerely thank everyone who supported this year’s event. Looking ahead to Yukata Day’s 15th anniversary, we will continue working to make next year’s celebration even more memorable.”
Kazuki IkariishiCo-Chair, Sophia Yukata Day 2026Third-year student, Department of Theology, Faculty of Theology
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the students, faculty, and staff who participated in this year’s Yukata Day. It was wonderful to see the campus filled with people wearing colorful yukata. One of the new highlights this year was the wind chime display in the central courtyard, which attracted far more visitors than we had anticipated. We hope to continue introducing new programs so that even more members of the Sophia community can enjoy Yukata Day in the years ahead. Finally, I would like to thank all the student organizations, University staff, and fellow nexnect members whose support made this event possible.”
Yuki AsoCo-Chair, Sophia Yukata Day 2026Second-year student, Department of Information and Communication Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology
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Celebrating Japanese Summer Traditions at Sophia Yukata Day 2026
