2023 Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day) Celebration (Kid Crafts, Food Vendors, Totoro Movie, Taiko..) - JACCCNEW

May 5th is Children's Day or Kodomo no Hi. Originally known as Tango no sekku (端午の節句), it became a national holiday in 1948 and has been a day of celebration in Japan since ancient times.

Event Date
April 29, 2023

Event Time
10:00 am - 5: 30 pm

This year, JACCC will hold it’s Kodomo no Hi celebration on April 29th with the following activities, in addition to beverage/food vendors on the Plaza:

10:30 am: Rajio Taiso
10:30 am: Okayama-Kobo Workshop #1
10:30 am - 5:30 pm:  Beverage & Food Vendors
10:30 am - 5:30 pm:  James Irvine Japanese Garden
11:00 am - 4 pm:  Kids Craft Workshop
01:00 pm:  My Neighbor Totoro (English Dub)
02:30 pm:  Okayama-Kobo Workshop #2
03:00 pm:  Ukuleles 4 Little Tokyo
03:30 pm:  Irvine Cheerleaders
04:00 pm:  My Neighbor Totoro (English Subtitles)

More information and RSVP

Beverage & Food Vendors
Enjoy an array of delicious beverages and food vendors including, Bananabelle Brown, Kuramoto Shavery, Lagu Cafe, Okayama-Kobo, Shake N' Teas, and Shake Ramen!

Enjoy Totoro-themed decorated sugar cookies by Bananabelle Brow and specialty kakigori (shaved ice) by Kuramoto Shavery. Lagu Cafe and Okayama-Kobo will offer yummy treats such as coffee, curry pan, and onigiri - made right in front of you by an onigiri machine. Shake N' Teas will provide good quality teas and boba with healthier, natural, and real ingredients. Shake Ramen will be available at the Isamu Noguchi Plaza serving up an innovative broth-less ramen with the choice of protein and fresh veggies that requires vigorous shaking prior to eating.

My Neighbor Totoro Screenings
Free screenings of My Neighbor Totoro, a 1988 Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and animated by Studio Ghibli, will be played at the Aratani Theatre. The “English Language Dub” will be played at 1 pm while the “Japanese Language with English Subtitles” will be played at 4 pm. While the screenings are free, RSVP is required.

RSVP for 1 pm or 4 pm

Kids Craft Workshop
11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Join us for a Kids Craft Workshop in the Noguchi Plaza. Children can enjoy traditional Japanese activities like making kabuto (warrior's helmet) with old newspapers, which can be traced back to the Kamakura Period. Along with the 300 huge paper koinobori across the Noguchi Plaza, children can make a small koinobori with colored paper and straw.

Ukeleles 4 Little Tokyo
3:00 pm

Chester from Ukeleles 4 Little Tokyo will sing traditional Japanese children's songs with Japanese and English lyrics. People of all ages are encouraged to come and sing along.

Rajio Taiso
10:30 am
Let’s start the day with Rajio Taiso! A national warm-up exercise in Japan, also known as radio calisthenics, Rajio Taiso promotes good health and socialization. Join us on stage for a quick 2-minute body warm-up to get ready for the day.

Okayama-Kobo Workshop
Tickets:  10:30 am & 2:30 pm

Join us for a fun family workshop at the Toshizo Watanabe Culinary Cultural Center. The workshop will be led by a special instructor - children and parents will learn how to decorate three (3) “emoji” faces on adorable fresh baked goods by Okayama-Kobo. This is an all-inclusive workshop that includes supplies, bread, and a take-home box. All children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Fruit drinks, hot tea, and water will be provided.

There will be two class sessions to choose from: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm or 2:30 - 4 pm. A standard $40 kit contains: one coppe sausage roll, 1 coppe, and 1 custard bear.