Encounter Japan this summer with a series of free family-friendly activity workshops at Japan House London. During each workshop, participants can enjoy exploring the cultures of Japan and unleashing their creativity while trying an activity using original Japan House London worksheets. 

The full schedule of workshops will be announced shortly and will include: 

Make Your Own Tanabata Decorations

Tanabata is a summer festival celebrating the legendary meeting of two stars, Orihime, a weaver, and Hikoboshi, a cowherder. Separated by the Milky Way, the stars are allowed to cross the distance by boat and meet only once a year on this day.

Tanabata evolved from an even older festival known as Kikkōden during which people would wish for personal improvement in various artistic pursuits, writing their wishes on broad mulberry leaves. Today, Tanabata wishes are hung on branches of bamboo and written on colourful strips of paper called tanzaku. Design your own Tanabata decorations to hang on a plant or tree and learn more about this festival tradition. 

Origami

Try your hand at origami, Japanese paper folding. Guests can make their own orizuru (folded crane) to wish for peace and hope for the future or make a paper helmet (kabuto) based on those worn by Japanese warriors including samurai.

More workshop activities to be announced shortly.