Coming at the end of Golden Week is Children’s Day.
The stars of the day are, of course, the children. With events for kids being held all over, my craft-loving child was excited to say, “I want to go!” about the Tango no Sekku Festival held in Tamashima.
Here’s a report on the day.
The information provided was current when this article was published in May 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the Tango no Sekku Festival?
The Tango no Sekku Festival was an event held on Monday, May 5, 2025 (a public holiday), at Tamashima Civic Exchange Center.
There was a packed program of activities, including a display of fire engines, workshops open to children as young as two, booths where visitors could learn about Tamashima culture, and demonstrations of judo and kendo.
For details about the workshops, see the image below.
How to take part in the workshops
To take part in a workshop, you need a numbered ticket, distributed from 9:15 a.m. on the day.
The writer arrived at the venue at around 9:30 a.m., but long lines of families had already formed.
Some workshops reach capacity in no time, so if there’s a particular workshop you want to attend, we recommend arriving early.
Most workshops were free to attend. Paid workshops cost around 300 to 500 yen.
There were also a few booths that did not require numbered tickets and could be joined at any time.
Activities took place in two main locations: the main Exchange Building and the Gymnasium Building opposite it. After checking the details on your numbered ticket, head to the venue at your reserved time.
Workshop activities in the Exchange Building
We took part in two workshops in the Exchange Building.
The first was “Everyone’s Town Project: Let’s Build a Town with Kapla!,” an area where visitors could play with Kapla, wooden building blocks. It was for preschoolers through elementary school students.
Some children carefully built houses and bridges to create a townscape, while others enjoyed seeing how high they could stack the blocks. Everyone played in their own way. It was heartwarming to see how absorbed they all were.
The second was “Let’s Make a Voice Changer!”
It was essentially a homemade voice changer made using paper cups and aluminum foil.
After we were given a brief explanation of how pitch and volume change, it was time to decorate the paper cups. Student staff helped out at each table, kindly offering guidance as the children enjoyed making their creations.
Finally, we used a special machine to visually compare the voice through the voice changer with the natural voice. We had fun learning about the wonders of science.
Workshop activities in the Gymnasium Building
There were five workshop booths on the second floor of the Gymnasium Building, and we decided to join “Rainbow-Glowing, Unpoppable Bubbles.”
“Unpoppable bubbles?” The adults were curious, too. They turned out to be handmade toys made from plastic ribbon. When we slowly spun them and shone light on them, it was amazing—they looked just like real bubbles.
The children were completely focused on the delicate work using their fingertips. They were especially delighted when they finished.
In the Gymnasium Building, we also saw children getting active with mat exercises and circuit play.
Children enjoyed the event in their own ways, whether using their hands or getting active. Every child’s face was innocent and sparkling.
The sight warmed the adults’ hearts, too. Their smiles were contagious, making us smile without even realizing it.
Demonstrations and hands-on sessions in judo, kendo, and other martial arts were also held on the first floor of the gymnasium building, but we couldn’t watch them this time due to time constraints.
I’d definitely like to take part next time.
A gathering of working vehicles! Vehicle displays and ride-along experiences
Outdoors, police cars, ambulances, fire engines, and other vehicles were on display.
We may pass these vehicles on the road in our daily lives, but ordinary people rarely get the chance to look inside them. Adults and children alike gazed with interest at the interiors and equipment.
Some vehicles were open for visitors to sit in the driver’s seat, and the fire engine even offered rides around the parking lot. It was a truly special experience.
From the Writer
Many students from local high schools and universities also took part as workshop exhibitors, and their cheerful involvement left a strong impression. Seeing local adults and young people work together to create the event in such a warm, friendly atmosphere filled my heart with warmth.
What especially stayed with me this time was seeing the children enjoy the activities with shining eyes. Perhaps one day, they will be the ones supporting the event as “staff.”
Along with the wishes embodied in the Boys’ Day celebration, I hope the children will cherish these heart-stirring moments and grow up freely and happily.
With that thought, I’d like to bring this article to a close.
Boys’ Day Festival Information
| Name | Boys’ Day Festival |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, May 5, 2025 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| Location | Tamashima Civic Exchange Center |
| Admission (tax included) | Free (some booths charge a fee) |
| Website | Tamashima Civic Exchange Center website |
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