School uniforms vary greatly in style and design depending on the country. In Japan, the sailor uniform, with its distinctive large collar and scarf, and the "gakuran," a black jacket with a standing collar and gold buttons, are widely recognized as traditional student attire. Japanese anime often features school uniforms, further fueling global interest in "anime uniforms." This article explores the unique characteristics and types of Japanese school uniforms.
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What Are School Uniforms? Characteristics and Types of Japanese Uniforms
Japanese school uniforms come in a variety of styles, with each school adopting its own design. Let’s take a look at the history of Japanese uniforms and explore their different styles.
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What Are School Uniforms? Why Do Students Wear Them?
The origins of Japanese school uniforms date back to the Meiji period when the prestigious Gakushuin school, established for the imperial family and nobility, introduced the standing-collar uniform (gakuran). In the late Meiji era, Western-style clothing was adopted for female students at Tokyo Normal School's women’s division, but hakama (traditional pleated skirts) soon became the standard attire. By the Taisho era, some schools began adopting sailor uniforms, attracting students who admired the style.
The adoption of uniforms was driven by several factors. Aside from practical management reasons such as fostering a sense of student identity and school belonging, uniforms were also meant to eliminate economic disparities among students, reinforcing the idea that everyone was equal in the learning environment.
Characteristics and Types of Japanese School Uniforms
In Japan, boys typically wear either a "gakuran" or a blazer-style uniform, while girls have a wider range of options, including sailor uniforms, blazers, one-piece dresses, and bolero-style uniforms. In recent years, pants-style uniforms for girls have also become more common, reflecting a shift toward greater diversity in school attire. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the different styles of Japanese school uniforms.
Men’s School Uniforms
・Gakuran (Student Uniform)
The "gakuran" consists of a black or navy standing-collar (tsume-eri) jacket paired with matching trousers. The front of the jacket usually features school emblem buttons. A well-known tradition associated with this uniform is the "second button" custom—when graduating, students often give the second button from the top, which is closest to the heart, to someone special.
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・Blazer
A formal style that pairs a dress shirt with a blazer jacket, slacks, and a necktie. The color and design of the necktie vary by school, and the blazer often features an embroidered school emblem or patch on the chest.
Women's School Uniforms
・Sailor Uniform
The most traditional Japanese girls' uniform, characterized by its large collar (sailor collar) and a ribbon or scarf. The skirt is typically a pleated skirt, usually knee-length. The color of the ribbon or scarf varies by school, with navy, red, white, green, and burgundy being common options.
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・Blazer
A modern and stylish uniform consisting of a blazer, shirt, and either a skirt or slacks, accessorized with a ribbon or necktie. This is now the most common type of girls' uniform. Like the boys' blazer, the jacket often features an embroidered emblem or patch. Pleated skirts are the standard, coming in various patterns such as checkered, solid, and striped. Recently, more schools have introduced slacks as an option for greater functionality and inclusivity.
・One-Piece Dress Style
This type of uniform features a simple design where the top and skirt are integrated, making it relatively easy to move in. There are three main types of one-piece uniforms: the sailor one-piece, which incorporates a sailor collar; the round-collar or square-collar one-piece, which features a distinctive collar shape; and the jumper skirt style, where a blouse is worn underneath the dress. This style gives off a neat and classic impression and is often used in traditional schools or private high schools.
What Are A-Body and B-Body Sizes? Uniform Regulations
Japanese school uniforms have size classifications known as "A-body" and "B-body." "A-body" is designed for slimmer to standard body types, while "B-body" is wider, offering more room in the chest, waist, and hips. When choosing a uniform size, it is common to select based on height and body type, with sizes labeled as 165A (A-body) or 165B (B-body).
In addition, many schools in Japan have their own set of rules, called "kousoku," which regulate uniform wear. These rules may include specific guidelines on how to wear the uniform, restrictions on sock and shoe colors, prohibitions on accessories, and even limitations on hairstyles and hair color.
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How Much Do School Uniforms Cost? An Overview of Prices and Popular Brands
The cost of Japanese school uniforms varies depending on the school and the brand they adopt. Here, we will introduce the average uniform costs and some of the most popular brands.
Average Cost of School Uniforms
The price for a full set of school uniforms in Japan typically ranges from ¥40,000 to ¥70,000 for both boys and girls. However, prices may vary depending on the school and region. Private schools, in particular, often have more unique and elaborate designs, which can result in higher costs.
Popular Uniform Brands
The three most widely used and popular school uniform brands in Japan are "KANKO Gakuseifuku," "TOMBOW Gakuseifuku," and "FUJI YACHT Gakuseifuku."
KANKO Gakuseifuku is a well-established manufacturer known for its long history and high-quality products. Their uniforms are highly durable, making them a common choice for many schools.
TOMBOW Gakuseifuku is praised for both quality and design. Their uniforms are designed with students' comfort and mobility in mind, which is one of their standout features.
FUJI YACHT Gakuseifuku is a brand developed by Akashi School Uniform Company, boasting a history of over 70 years. They are known for using high-quality materials and precise craftsmanship, maintaining traditional designs while also adapting to modern needs.
Japanese School Uniform Culture and Overseas Reactions
Thanks to manga and anime, Japanese school uniforms have gained attention from people overseas. In this section, we'll take a closer look at Japan's unique youth culture trend, "Seifuku Disney," as well as school uniforms featured in popular manga and anime.
What Is Seifuku (Uniform) Disney?
In Japan, there is a culture called "Seifuku Disney," where students visit Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea while wearing their school uniforms. Junior high and high school students often go with friends or as couples, taking photos and videos to capture their experiences. Beyond teenagers, some university students and working adults also participate in Seifuku Disney, styling or customizing their old school uniforms to create fashionable looks, as seen on social media.
For those who don't own a uniform but still want to experience Seifuku Disney, there's the "KANKO Shop Ikspiari" inside the Ikspiari shopping complex near Tokyo Disney Resort, which offers uniform rentals. Rental plans start at prices in the ¥1,000 range, making it an accessible option for anyone who wants to try it out!
School Uniforms in Manga and Anime
Many Japanese manga and anime feature school uniforms, drawing interest from fans around the world. Among them, "Sailor Moon," "Cardcaptor Sakura," and "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" are especially well-known.
Sailor Moon
"Sailor Moon" tells the story of young girls working together to fight evil, inspiring women worldwide with its theme of "beautiful warriors." Each character wears outfits inspired by sailor-style school uniforms. The series is so influential that even some international figure skaters have performed wearing Sailor Moon-themed costumes.
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Cardcaptor Sakura
"Cardcaptor Sakura" is a globally beloved series known for its adorable world and charming characters. The school uniform worn by the protagonist, Sakura Kinomoto, has also drawn attention. It features a stylish black blazer, white scarf, and pleated skirt, with both winter and summer versions appearing in the series. The uniform's design is popular among cosplayers and fashion enthusiasts alike.
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JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
"JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" prominently features male students wearing gakuran-style uniforms. One of the most famous outfits is the black gakuran and cap worn by Jotaro Kujo, the protagonist of "Part 3: Stardust Crusaders." Unlike real-life school uniforms, the designs in JoJo are highly stylized, enhancing the individuality of the characters and contributing to the series' unique appeal.
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Japanese school uniforms have gained international recognition through anime. From sailor uniforms and one-piece dresses to gakuran and blazers, the variety of styles is part of their charm. If you're interested in trying out a Japanese school uniform, rental services are available, so why not give it a shot?
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