Explore the cultures of Japan this Easter 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, with activities including origami and creating paper koinobori (carp-shaped windsocks), which are hung outside homes in Japan to celebrate Children’s Day in May.

Create Your Own Koinobori 

On 5 May, in celebration of Kodomo no hi (Children’s Day, originally a celebration for boys and known as Tango-no-sekku), many families in Japan hang koinobori (carp-shaped windsocks) outside their homes. Be inspired by the history and colours of koinobori and use your creativity to colour in the paper template. After completing your design, cut out the template to bring your koinobori to life.

Sunday 6 April 2025,14:30–16:30

Tuesday 8 April 2025,14:30–16:30

Thursday 10 April 2025,14:30–16:30

Monday 14 April 2025,14:30–16:30

Thursday 17 April 2025,14:30–16:30

Sunday 20 April 2025,14:30–16:30

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.

Monday 7 April 2025,14:30–16:30

Friday 11 April 2025,14:30–16:30

Friday 18 April 2025,14:30–16:30

Make Your Own Paper Ema

Ema (lit. ‘picture horses’) are palm-sized wooden tablets seen at shrines throughout Japan. Typically, shrinegoers write prayers or wishes on them and hang them at the shrine as offerings. In the Hida Takayama region of Gifu Prefecture, ema are made from paper and decorated with a picture of a horse.

Make your own paper ema using an original Japan House London activity worksheet. The worksheet features a template created by Ikemoto-ya, a famed ema-maker based in Takayama City. Decorate the horse with lucky patterns, add wishes for good fortune and good health and display the completed ema at the entrance of your home to invite in good luck. Remember to hang the ema with the horse’s head facing inwards, to ensure good fortune is carried inside.

Wednesday 9 April 2025,14:30–16:30

Wednesday 16 April 2025,14:30–16:30

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Drop-in | Admission Free

Children must be 6+ and accompanied by an adult. Participation in drop-in workshops is on a first-come first-served basis.