3 Kinds of Rajio Taiso to Try at Home - Japan's Radio Calisthenics Make for Fun Home Workouts

This isn't the first time we've talked about rajio taiso (ラジオ体操, radio calisthenics) on Japankuru (more here), but with people spending a little more time at home than usual these days, it's the perfect time to once again return to this beloved Japanese tradition.

Rajio taiso is a daily radio broadcast that guides listeners through a set of basic stretches and exercises, broadcasting to the general public since 1928. Rajio taiso exercises are made to be simple, accessible, and easy enough for all of Japan to join in, which is why you'll see people of all kinds joining in every morning: students at schools listening over the loudspeaker, elderly people gathered around a radio in the park, even occasionally office workers stretching together between their desks. Following along to rajio taiso can be a fun way to get just a little bit of exercise in, and add a little movement to your day, even if you're cooped up at home. These days, with just about everything uploaded to YouTube, all it takes to join in on this Japanese tradition is to find a rajio taiso video that fits you.

Of course, as a fun tradition that promotes good health among children, it's no wonder local Japanese mascots have gotten in on rajio taiso. In Japan, just about every city, prefecture, region, facility, organization, etc. etc. has its own "yurukyara" mascot (ゆるキャラ), so plenty of them have their own calisthenics videos.

Want an old friend to guide you through these simple exercises? Well, local mascots aren't the only friendly faces to get in on the fun. Some of Japan's most famous characters and shows have their own rajio taiso videos online.