A worn wooden kendama, vibrant glass ohajiki, a softly floating paper balloon—these may seem outdated at first glance. Yet today, these “old-fashioned” Japanese toys are quietly gaining renewed appreciation among children and parents in Hong Kong.
In a world flooded with high-tech gadgets and colorful character merchandise, it is the simple, analog toys that are capturing hearts. Behind this shift is a growing belief: that something is beautiful because it is old, and that imperfection invites imagination. These traditional playthings offer not only fun, but a deeper, quieter value that feels fresh in an age of excess.
The Comfort and Stimulation of Retro
At cultural events and educational centers across Hong Kong, workshops featuring traditional Japanese toys—kendama, taketombo, ohajiki, and more—are drawing families eager to experience something different.
One mother attending such an event reflected, “Here, you find a kind of quiet focus and tactile pleasure that smartphones and video games just can’t offer.” The soft “katsun” of a wooden kendama, or the gentle “clatter” of glass ohajiki rolling across a table—these sensations carry a natural gentleness and a nostalgic warmth, like memories you can touch.
Rather than relying on loud sounds or flashy visuals, these toys invite us to touch, listen, and think. In doing so, they may be awakening something deeper—a desire for authenticity, a quiet longing for simplicity that feels surprisingly refreshing in today’s world.
Not Disposable, But Nurtured: Traditional Japanese Toys as Lifelong Companions
Many traditional Japanese toys were never meant to be thrown away. When they broke, they were repaired; when they no longer fascinated, they were displayed or reinvented through creative play. They were tools rooted in daily life—meant to grow with the child. In Hong Kong, more and more parents are resonating with this philosophy, expressing a preference for durable wooden toys over short-lived plastic ones.
Some paint their own designs on kamifusen (paper balloons), others carve names into their kendama. These small touches transform a toy from a mere object into something personal—something to be cherished.
This “space for personalization” fosters creativity and imagination. Children learn to tinker, to try, to fail, and to try again. Traditional toys carry this process naturally, encouraging thoughtful play and resilience without ever needing a screen or a manual.
Why Parents Are the Ones Getting Hooked
Interestingly, at workshops featuring traditional Japanese toys, it’s often the parents—not just the children—who become most engrossed. “It reminds me of my own childhood,” one parent shared. Another added, “It feels refreshing to focus on something without touching a smartphone.”
Many adults also find themselves moved by the beauty of the materials and the functional elegance of these toys. The grain of the wood, the natural colors, the weight and feel in the hand—these subtle details offer a sense of uniqueness that mass-produced products rarely provide.
“I originally came for my child’s benefit,” one father laughed, “but I think I’m enjoying it even more than they are.” Traditional toys, it seems, create a shared sensory experience that resonates across generations, nurturing not only learning, but appreciation and memory.
From Nostalgia to Future Learning: Traditional Toys as Tools for Growth
The resurgence of traditional Japanese toys isn’t just a passing retro trend—it’s a quiet response to what today’s world truly needs: imagination, dialogue, and learning through the senses.
Stepping away from screens and into moments filled with sound, texture, and mindful hand movements—these are not moments where children are taught, but where they naturally grow.
“Because it’s old, I want to treasure it.” This sentiment, now being felt by many parents in Hong Kong, is transforming vintage toys into new tools for early childhood development. They offer not just play, but a richer kind of learning that bridges the past with the possibilities of the future.