The Children's Day comes as the finale of the Golden Week.
The stars of this day are undoubtedly the children. Among various events for kids held in different places, my child, who loves crafts, was excited and said, "I want to go!" to the "Tango no Sekku Matsuri" held in Tamashima.
I will report on the day's events.
What is the Tango no Sekku Matsuri?
The "Tango no Sekku Matsuri" was an event held on May 5, 2025 (Monday, public holiday) at the Tamashima Community Center.
There were exhibitions of fire trucks, workshops available for children from the age of 2, booths to learn about Tamashima culture, and demonstrations of judo and kendo, with a variety of events lined up.
Please check the image below for details on the workshops.
How to participate in the workshops
To participate in the workshops, you need a numbered ticket distributed from 9:15 AM on the day.
I arrived at the venue around 9:30 AM, but there was already a long line of many families.
Depending on the type, some workshops fill up quickly, so I recommend arriving early if you have a specific workshop in mind.
Most workshops are free to participate. The cost for paid workshops was around 300 to 500 yen.
Additionally, there were a few booths available for drop-in participation without a ticket.
The event was held in two main locations: the main Community Center and the Gymnasium across from it. Participants should check the details on their tickets and head to the venue at the reserved time.
Workshop experience in the Community Center
I participated in two workshops at the Community Center.
The first was "Everyone's Town Project - Let's Build a Town with Kapla!!", a corner where children can play with wooden building blocks called "Kapla". It is aimed at preschoolers to elementary school students.
Some children created detailed buildings and bridges, while others enjoyed seeing how high they could stack them. It was heartwarming to see all the children engrossed in their activities.
The second workshop was "Let's Make a Voice Changer!".
Using paper cups and aluminum foil, it was a kind of handmade voice changer.
After being taught the principles of how the pitch and volume of the voice change, we entered the drawing time for the paper cups. Student staff were present at each table to support us, gently encouraging us while we enjoyed the activity.
Finally, we visually checked the difference between the voice through the voice changer and our natural voice using a special machine. It was a fun way to learn about the wonders of science.
Workshop experience in the Gymnasium
On the second floor of the Gymnasium, there were five workshop booths, and I participated in "Let's Make Non-Breakable Bubbles".
Adults were also curious about "non-breakable bubbles." The secret is a handmade toy made of vinyl ribbons. When spun slowly and illuminated, it looked just like real bubbles.
Using their fingertips for detailed work, the children were all very serious. The joy when they completed their creations was immense.
In the Gymnasium, I also saw children moving their bodies and playing with mat exercises and circuit play.
It is good to move your hands, and it is good to move your body. The faces of the children enjoying the event in their own ways were all innocent and sparkling.
Seeing this, the adults felt warm and their smiles became contagious, causing their faces to break into smiles.
Additionally, on the first floor of the gymnasium, there were demonstrations and experience sessions for judo and kendo, but due to time constraints, I was unable to observe them this time.
I definitely want to participate next time.
A Gathering of Working Vehicles! Vehicle Exhibition & Ride Experience
Outside, there were displays of police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, and more.
Although we often pass by them on the road, there are very few opportunities for the general public to see inside these vehicles. Both adults and children were curiously gazing at the interior and equipment.
Some vehicles were open for free access to the driver's seat, and the fire truck even offered a service to take a round trip around the parking lot. It was a very valuable experience.
Conclusion
Many local high school and university students participated in the workshops, and their smiling faces were impressive. It warmed my heart to see the adults and young people in the community working together to create the event in a friendly atmosphere.
What left a particularly strong impression this time was the sight of children enjoying the experience with shining eyes. One day, they may stand on the other side as "staff" supporting the event.
With the wishes embedded in the Children's Day celebration, I hope they cherish these heart-throbbing moments and grow up freely and robustly.
With such thoughts, I would like to conclude this article.
Children's Day Festival Data
| Name | Children's Day Festival |
|---|---|
| Date | May 5, 2025 (Monday) From 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
| Location | Tamashima Community Exchange Center |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free (some paid booths available) |
| Website | Tamashima Community Exchange Center Website |
