Explore the cultures of Japan this summer with a series of free family-friendly activity workshops at Japan House London. During each workshop, participants can enjoy learning about Japan and unleashing their creativity.

 

Make Your Own Tanabata Decorations

Tanabata is a summer festival celebrating the legendary meeting of two stars, Orihime and Hikoboshi, who can only meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month. Tanabata evolved from an older festival known as Kikkōden when people would write wishes for improvement in artistic pursuits on mulberry leaves. Today, Tanabata wishes are written on colourful paper strips called tanzaku and hung on branches of bamboo. Create your own Tanabata decorations to hang on a plant or tree and learn more about this festival tradition.

Thursday 1 August 2024, 14:30–16:30 (held in the Hall)

Friday 2 August 2024, 14:30–16:30

Saturday 3 August 2024, 14:30–16:30

Sunday 4 August 2024, 14:30–16:30

Wednesday 7 August 2024, 14:30–16:30

Thursday 8 August 2024, 14:30–16:30

Saturday 10 August 2024, 14:30–16:30

 

Make and Play with Spinning Tops

Discover the joy of Japanese handmade koma (spinning tops), one of the design treasures featured in the Design Discoveries exhibition. Have a go at making an origami spinning top and enjoy watching it spin and play with a selection of regional wooden spinning tops selected by the Japan Toy Museum.

Friday 9 August 2024, 14:30–16:30

Friday 23 August 2024, 14:30–16:30

Thursday 29 August 2024, 14:30–16:30

*Please note Spinning Top workshops are held in the Hall.

 

Origami

Try your hand at origami, Japanese paper folding. Make your own orizuru (folded crane) to wish for peace and hope for the future or fold an origami frog and see how far you can make it jump.

Tuesday 6 August 2024, 14:30–16:30

Wednesday 21 August 2024, 14:30–16:30

 

Design Your Own Uchikake

Uchikake are a type of outer kimono worn on formal occasions in Japan, for example by brides on their wedding day. They are usually heavily decorated with a rich array of images and patterns which are often inspired by nature. Take inspiration from the plants and flowers of Japan to design your own uchikake.

Thursday 22 August 2024, 14:30–16:30

 

Drop-in | Admission Free