Kids' Activities 12

Excitement Builds for Japan vs. Turkey

Japan came top of Group H and is through to the knockout stage of the World Cup. It played Turkey in the round of 16 at Miyagi Stadium on June 18. The eyes of soccer fans all over Japan were focused on Miyagi Prefecture. World Cup excitement in Sendai City and the town of Rifu was on the crest of a wave.

	Sparrow dancing at Miyagi Sendai Soccer Park.

On June 15, about 500 people in 19 groups performed suzume-odori (sparrow dancing) at the Miyagi Sendai Soccer Park established in a park in Sendai. Sparrow dancing is a humorous folk performance in which people dressed in braided hats and kimonos decorated with sparrow designs dance like sparrows. At the head of the sparrow-dancing parade were children dancing while waving handmade fans decorated with soccer-ball designs. Many spectators took photos of them.

	Kids dance to celebrate the World Cup.

Meanwhile, in the town of Rifu, where the stadium is located, flags made by elementary-school students are on display on the walls of the platform at JR Rifu Station. The kids have written messages of support on these big flags. The ones that were put up on the platform on June 16 were made by kids at Aoyama and Shirakashidai Elementary Schools. Flags made by four other schools will be put up by the day of the game. The flags will welcome soccer fans as they arrive in Rifu.

Photos courtesy of Miyagi Prefecture.