The Kawazu cherry blossoms have started to bloom, and the horsetails are peeking out from the riverbank, finally bringing more calm and spring-like weather days.
On weekends, markets and events are gradually making a comeback. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's Disability Welfare Division "Recent Trends in the Disability Welfare Sector" published in the 2022 fiscal year, it is said that approximately 7.6% of the Japanese population has some form of disability. Naturally, people with disabilities will participate in events held on street corners.
However, it may not be the case that we see people with disabilities in the streets every day.
On March 23, 2025 (Sunday), the 2nd "Spring Festival" 2025, where people with and without disabilities can enjoy together (hereinafter referred to as "Spring Festival") will be held in the center of Kurashiki City.
I asked the Spring Festival secretariat about the aims of the event and how to enjoy it on the day.
What is "Spring Festival"
The "Spring Festival" will be held on March 23, 2025 (Sunday) from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM at the Kurashiki Ivy Square Aimi Red Brick Hall in the center of Kurashiki City. It is organized by Kurashiki Support LABO, which aims to create a new town where welfare is integrated into daily life.
On the day, there will be the following programs and vendors at the Aimi Red Brick Hall.
- West Wing (Area for Flowers, Games, and Play)
- North Wing (Area for Music)
- 14 food and merchandise vendors
For more details, please check the image below.
Support for those who need individual consideration
To ensure that as many people with disabilities as possible can enjoy the event with peace of mind, individual support will also be provided. Staff will be wearing vests, so please feel free to approach them.
They plan to accommodate medical care in a separate room, as well as provide assistance in writing, simple sign language, and English as much as possible.
Overview of the 1st "Spring Festival"
This year (2025) marks the 2nd edition of the "Spring Festival." The 1st edition was held on March 17, 2024 (Sunday) under the title "A Festival Colored by Music and Flowers."
It rained on the day, but the weather did not matter to those enjoying the flowers and music. Some attendees traveled from outside the prefecture, such as Shikoku and Hiroshima, to enjoy the music, regardless of their disabilities.
The forecast for 2025 is currently sunny, but preparations are being made to ensure enjoyment even in the rain.
Interview with the "Spring Festival" Secretariat
I spoke with Kiyoko Ando (安藤希代子) from the "Spring Festival" Secretariat within the NPO Parent Support Step about the origins of the festival and the highlights of this year's event.
Can you tell us the purpose of the "Spring Festival"?
Ando (no honorifics)
This time, we added the subtitle "Enjoying Together with and without Disabilities." As the subtitle suggests, the "Spring Festival" is an event aimed at natural interaction between people with and without disabilities.
In principle, it is natural for anyone to be able to attend any event, regardless of disabilities. However, we do not often see people with disabilities enjoying themselves in the streets. Therefore, by intentionally calling for "enjoying together with and without disabilities," we hope that people with disabilities will feel safe to attend this event.
But that's not all. We also hope that through this event, people without disabilities will have the opportunity to meet individuals with disabilities, their families, and supporters.
Every year in spring, there is an event in the center of Kurashiki where many people with disabilities gather.
There, we learn how people with disabilities participate in events and get used to enjoying something together.
And someday, it will become normal for people with and without disabilities to enjoy various events held in the streets together.
I hope that this will become a trigger for the "normal" scenery in Kurashiki.
I hear there will be many programs and vendors that can be enjoyed regardless of disabilities.
Ando
Last year (2024), the flower arrangement workshop was a paid event limited to people with disabilities, but this year it will be free for everyone to experience, regardless of disabilities. Please enjoy creating a large flower sculpture together.
Additionally, last year, the music live rehearsal was not open to the public, but this time it will be a public rehearsal. Music lovers should not miss the chance to see performers in relaxed expressions and behind-the-scenes preparations.
Along with the JAZZ live performance, you can also enjoy blended tea from JAZZ&TEA. Interestingly, the blended tea is named after JAZZ song titles. Would you like to experience drinking a blend named after a song while listening to the music?
This year, for the first time, there will be an experience and competition for the "Taiko no Tatsujin Dondafuru Festival."
This is one of the games that can be enjoyed regardless of disabilities, and a fun experience session will be held in conjunction with this event. Competitions will also be held, so we welcome participants who think, "I am the best!"
There seem to be many programs, and it looks challenging to go through all of them!
Ando
Those who love music can enjoy music, and those who want to enjoy food can enjoy food... so please feel free to choose programs that match your purpose.
This event is free to enter and you can come and go as you please. Therefore, you can participate only in the programs that interest you.
In addition to the venue, how about enjoying a stroll around Kurashiki Ivy Square and the Bikan Historical Area? There will be ample dining space within the venue, and a separate room for rest and medical care is also provided, so if you get tired from walking, you can return to the venue and relax.
What do you want visitors to feel?
Ando
First of all, I want people with disabilities and their families to come to the venue and enjoy the event with peace of mind. We have many staff members to ensure that many people with disabilities can attend.
The staff will be wearing vests, so please feel free to approach them. However, if you find it difficult to speak up, you can also come to the information desk. We will support you with any small matter, so please do not hesitate to ask.
For those who usually do not have the opportunity to interact with people with disabilities, please enjoy this event to the fullest.
When you enjoy the beauty of flowers and the wonderful music, you may find that the person next to you, who also has a disability, is experiencing the same emotions. You should encounter such scenes.
Finally, please give a message to the readers.
Ando
The forecast for the day is currently sunny, and I hope you will casually visit Kurashiki Ivy Square in the warm weather. Both people with and without disabilities should enjoy the programs they are interested in without any pressure.
That alone is enough, so I hope many people will come. We look forward to your visit.
Conclusion
"Unlike last year, this year we made it clear in the event title that it is a welfare event,"
Ando told me.
Last year, the focus was on getting many people to attend, regardless of disabilities, but by not expressing the feelings behind the event, they may have lost the opportunity to connect with "people who should have been interested in individuals with disabilities and their supporters."
Therefore, this year, the subtitle became "Enjoying Together with and without Disabilities."
In the center of Kurashiki, people with and without disabilities enjoy the same event as a matter of course. Would you like to be a part of that scenery?
Data for the 2nd "Spring Festival" 2025 where people with and without disabilities can enjoy together
| Name | 2nd "Spring Festival" 2025 where people with and without disabilities can enjoy together |
|---|---|
| Date | March 23, 2025 (Sunday) from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Location | 7-2 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free admission |
| Website | Spring Festival Facebook Page |
