As March begins, the time for the sunrise is gradually getting earlier.
Announcements for outdoor events are also gradually increasing.
The desire to "go out" and "enjoy events" is something everyone has, regardless of disability, but for individuals with severe disabilities, such as those requiring medical care, and their families, there are many preparations that need to be made in advance, making it difficult to realize this desire.
Children requiring medical care are those who, due to advances in medicine, have been hospitalized for a long time in facilities such as NICUs (Neonatal Intensive Care Units) and continue to require medical care such as the use of ventilators and gastrostomy tubes, as well as suctioning and tube feeding on a daily basis.
Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare "Support Measures for Children Requiring Medical Care and Their Families" under "About Children Requiring Medical Care"
In response, a group of volunteers working in the welfare field in Kurashiki has gathered beyond their workplaces to form the welfare platform "Kurashiki Shien LABO", which holds a Spring Festival where both people with and without disabilities can enjoy together every spring.
Starting in 2024, the "Spring Festival," which is now in its third year (2026), will introduce support for those requiring medical care and sign language interpretation, allowing them to participate without hesitation.
What is the "Spring Festival where both people with and without disabilities can enjoy together"?
The "Spring Festival where both people with and without disabilities can enjoy together" (hereinafter referred to as "Spring Festival") is an event organized by Kurashiki Shien LABO, which has been holding various events in the city of Kurashiki to bridge the "divide between welfare and society" that exists in daily life.
In 2026, it will be held on April 26 (Sunday) at the entire Aimi Red Brick Hall located in Kurashiki Ivy Square.
- Play (West Hall)
A game area where children can immerse themselves. - Music (East Hall)
A music hall resonating with authentic Latin jazz and local musicians' voices. - Experience & Sales (North Hall)
Diverse workshops and a market. Eat-in space available. - Relaxation (Courtyard)
A plaza where you can enjoy freshly fried chicken and curry while chatting leisurely.
As with last year, rehearsals before the live performance will also be open to the public, and in the flower arrangement workshop, decorations incorporating Kurashiki's denim are planned.
There is a step at the entrance of the Aimi Red Brick Hall, but there will be volunteer assistants available, so those planning to attend with wheelchairs or strollers can participate with peace of mind.
People without disabilities who are fans of flower arrangement artist Nose Seiko, those who love Latin jazz, and those who want to enjoy their favorite food menu are all welcome to participate.
Creating a venue layout that is easy for everyone to participate in, and establishing a "safe base" for children requiring medical care
The first event held in 2024 had the theme "A Festival Colored by Flowers and Music," featuring Latin music and flower arrangement workshops. The second event held in 2025 saw over 2,500 attendees, regardless of disability, gathering at the venue to enjoy not only music and flower arrangement workshops but also games and "sudden rock-paper-scissors" activities.
Members of Kurashiki Shien LABO include supporters who regularly interact with children requiring medical care, and among the users of the parent support organization Parent Support Step, there are parents raising children requiring medical care, leading to an increase in such attendees at the Spring Festival.
As a result, the venue layout has been changed to allow programs that were previously held on the second floor to be conducted on the first floor.
Additionally, to ensure that families with children requiring medical care can also enjoy the event, a "safe base" will be established, enhancing the event as a place where people from all backgrounds can share the same experiences together.
Interview with the Spring Festival Secretariat
We spoke with Kiyoko Ando, who serves as the secretary for the Spring Festival at the certified NPO Parent Support Step (hereinafter referred to as "Step"), about her thoughts on the third Spring Festival.
The Spring Festival is now in its third year and is becoming a regular event in Kurashiki's spring.
Ando (no honorifics)
In the first year, we were feeling our way through, but in the second year, we were able to see over 2,500 attendees enjoying the event together, regardless of disability.
This year's third event is an important opportunity to establish a framework that will serve as the foundation for continuing the Spring Festival in the future.
What kind of attendees were there last year?
Ando
Since professional flower arrangers and musicians perform, there are many fans of the performers who attend. Many of them do not have disabilities.
The participation of individuals with disabilities is also increasing year by year.
The organization Step, which serves as the secretariat, is for parents raising children with disabilities or developmental concerns. The staff also have experience raising such children, so there are attendees who come because they trust the events we organize.
Additionally, the participation of individuals with severe disabilities requiring medical care is also increasing.
For individuals and families requiring medical care, going out is not a simple matter. Health management, scheduling home care and welfare services, securing transportation, and planning how to handle medical care and excretion on the day of the event... all require meticulous preparation before they can finally go out.
For those of us who can move freely at our own will, it is easy to go out for meals whenever we have a little time, even on weekdays. However, for individuals requiring medical care and their families, there are days when they do not even have the luxury to think about going out for leisure.
Because there are people who are determined to go out for an event organized by us, Kurashiki Shien LABO, we want to prepare an environment that includes medical care and have knowledgeable volunteer staff ready to assist.
What are your recommendations for enjoying the event on the day?
Ando
The day will be filled with various booths for art, play, music, and gourmet food.
Since the venue will only use the first floor, all attendees using wheelchairs or strollers will be able to choose from all the programs they want to participate in.
For those with disabilities, it may have become normal to "participate from what they can do" because the programs available at events are limited. However, at the Spring Festival, we are preparing the environment so that as many programs as possible can be accessible to everyone.
The Spring Festival has attendees with severe disabilities who can only go out a few times a year for leisure. Therefore, I want them to enjoy the event, including the satisfaction of choosing what they want to do during that precious time.
It is perfectly fine to get excited during the music live, shout, or dance.
Please enjoy the Spring Festival in your own way.
What kind of event do you want the Spring Festival to become in the future?
Ando
I hope that "at the annual Spring Festival, when you participate in a program of interest and glance to the side, you see people using sign language or those in wheelchairs or strollers nearby" becomes a common sight.
In fact, as the number of events increases, the participation of individuals with severe disabilities is also increasing, and the number of volunteers is growing as well.
It is certainly delightful that individuals with disabilities enjoy the event. I also want individuals without disabilities to enjoy the Spring Festival and invite those around them to come again next year, making it a regular spring event in Kurashiki.
Finally, please give a message to the readers.
Ando
This year, we will have a wider venue than last year, so you should be able to spend your time comfortably.
Please come to Kurashiki Ivy Square to enjoy the Spring Festival on a warm, pleasant spring day.
Conclusion
The event is at the end of April. However, there is a reason for announcing the Spring Festival in March.
That is because we are considering the participation of individuals with disabilities.
Individuals without disabilities can decide their weekend plans based on the weather, saying, "It's sunny, so let's go to the park," but individuals with disabilities require a lot of preparation in advance, such as securing transportation and helpers.
We want this event to be one where both individuals with and without disabilities can warm up their excitement and enjoy.
Data on the 3rd Spring Festival where both people with and without disabilities can enjoy together
![[Held on 4/26 (Sun)] 3rd Spring Festival where both people with and without disabilities can enjoy together - Let's let all attendees 'choose' the programs they want to participate in](https://media.kuratoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/03135942/639960761_4244746105784449_867554743580921413_n.jpg)
| Name | 3rd Spring Festival where both people with and without disabilities can enjoy together |
|---|---|
| Date | April 26, 2026 (Sunday) 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Location | 7-2 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (Tax Included) | Free Admission |
| Website | Spring Festival Crowdfunding Page |
