Colorful, round balloons float gently through the air, drawing the delighted eyes and cheers of children. But these are not rubber balloons or high-tech toys—they are made simply of paper. These charming creations are traditional Japanese paper balloons (kamifusen), beloved for generations.

Today, in a growing number of Hong Kong schools, households, and cultural events, these nostalgic Japanese toys are being embraced with a sense of novelty and wonder. At the heart of this renewed interest is the delicate yet joyful kamifusen, a symbol of timeless play that transcends borders.

Captivated by Color, Sound, and Shape – The Analog Wonders of Kamifusen

Traditional Japanese paper balloons, or kamifusen, are crafted by layering delicate washi or pulp paper. They start out flat and folded, and with a gentle breath of air, they bloom into vibrant, balloon-like forms. Their colors—bold combinations of red and white, blue and yellow—evoke the charm and elegance of traditional Japanese sweets.

“I didn’t understand how it could inflate at first,” says 9-year-old Chan, a primary school student in Hong Kong. “But when it puffed up with just a breath, I was fascinated. I wanted to do it again and again.” For children growing up with smartphones, this analog transformation feels like a small miracle.

No electronic sounds, no screens—just the feel of the paper in your hands, the soft texture, and the gentle “pafu” sound as the balloon takes shape. It’s a quiet yet powerful moment, where children are drawn away from the digital world and reconnected with the simplicity and wonder of physical play.

A Remedy for Digital Fatigue – Why Traditional Japanese Toys Are Gaining Attention in Classrooms

Traditional Japanese toys such as kamifusen (paper balloons), kendama, and taketombo (bamboo flyers) are now gradually being introduced into educational settings in Hong Kong. Behind this shift lies growing concern over children’s reduced attention spans and increased visual overload caused by excessive smartphone and tablet use—what some educators describe as “digital fatigue.”

At one elementary school, teachers have implemented a weekly “Traditional Playtime,” featuring balance games and catching competitions using kamifusen. “Even with simple rules, children are fully engaged,” explains one teacher. “Because the toys are uncomplicated, they encourage imagination and interpersonal communication.”

Moreover, the act of physically manipulating these toys helps enhance body awareness and spatial cognition, which are crucial in early development. In this way, educators are beginning to see traditional Japanese play not just as entertainment—but as a valuable educational tool where “play becomes learning.”

A Nostalgic Future That Connects Generations

One of the most fascinating aspects of traditional Japanese toys is how they serve as bridges between generations. In one family, a grandmother who had brought back paper balloons from a trip to Japan sat with her grandchild, inflating them together. As they played, she fondly recalled how she had enjoyed the same game as a child—creating a moment of shared memory across time.

For parents and grandparents, these toys evoke warm nostalgia; for children, they represent something entirely new. In this way, traditional play is more than retro—it is a living memory, quietly returning to modern households as part of a “future rooted in the past.”

This kind of cultural continuity gently passes on core Japanese values such as cherishing simple objects and finding joy in hands-on effort, embedding them in the everyday lives of future generations.

What Kamifusen Teaches Us

A Japanese paper balloon, or kamifusen, doesn’t soar far or flash with lights—it floats gently, modestly. Yet within its quiet motion lies a moment of wonder—a fleeting dream captured in air and paper.

Through playing with kamifusen, children naturally learn how to adjust their strength, be mindful of their breath, and handle objects with care. It fosters a respectful, attentive relationship with things—something that can’t be experienced by simply tapping a screen.

In this simplicity lies a profound, tactile joy—a gentle lesson from the past that still resonates in our fast-moving, digital world.

In Closing – When Culture Begins with Play

Cultural transmission may sound like a complex concept, but sometimes, it starts with something as simple as a paper balloon. With just one breath, a kamifusen can spark curiosity in children, create meaningful moments between parents and kids, and bring a sense of wonder into everyday life.

Perhaps these so-called “old-fashioned toys” are, in fact, carriers of future values. Like the balloon itself—light, gentle, and uplifting—the spirit of traditional Japanese play is now softly reaching the hearts of children in Hong Kong, carried by a cultural breeze that transcends borders.