When people think of a traditional Japanese ennichi—a festive street fair—they recall vivid memories of goldfish scooping, target shooting, and yo-yo fishing. Now, a growing number of Hong Kong residents are discovering the charm of these nostalgic events through a hands-on experience that brings the spirit of Japanese festivals to life.
The setting: a “Traditional Toy Workshop” held as part of a Japanese cultural event. Classic handmade toys like kamifusen (paper balloons), taketombo (bamboo copters), ohajiki (glass disks), and kendama (cup-and-ball toys) lined the tables, creating an atmosphere filled with the warmth of Japan’s Showa era. Families gathered, and the room echoed with laughter and the sounds of play.
Participants smiled and said, “It feels like I’m really at a Japanese festival,” and “It’s been so long since I’ve had fun making and playing with something by hand.” In today’s urban landscape filled with high-tech gadgets and digital games, why are people turning to traditional toys? The answer lies in the unique sensory joy and human connection that only handcrafted play can offer.
See, Make, Play — Hands-On Fun That Resonates with Children
What makes this workshop so captivating is its immersive approach: children can watch, create, and play—all in one seamless experience. At the taketombo (bamboo copter) station, for instance, participants carve and assemble their own bamboo blades, paint them in favorite colors, then test them out on the spot. If the copter doesn’t fly well, they fine-tune it themselves—experiencing every step of the creative process firsthand.
Aaron, a 10-year-old primary school student from Hong Kong, shared his excitement: “I couldn’t believe how high the bamboo copter I painted myself flew!” That authentic sense of achievement, something no smartphone game can replicate, truly left a mark on him.
In the kamifusen (paper balloon) section, children combined play and art by decorating balloons with faces and original designs. Once completed, families delighted in inflating them and gently tossing them into the air—parents and children laughing and playing together.
“Festival Play” Sparks Heartfelt Conversations Between Generations
At the event venue, each booth was adorned with yatai-style decorations, and staff dressed in traditional yukata, creating the vibrant, nostalgic ambiance of a Japanese summer festival. This atmosphere deeply resonated with the parents, many of whom fondly recalled their own memories of traveling to Japan.
“I remember seeing scenes just like this during our trip to Japan,” one mother shared. “It makes me so happy to enjoy a festival experience like this with my child.” In this way, the event goes beyond cultural introduction—it becomes a space for family memory-making.
One particularly touching moment came when a grandfather taught his grandson how to play kendama, the classic cup-and-ball toy. “I used to work in Japan years ago,” he said with a proud smile. “It’s wonderful to now pass on something I learned back then to my grandson.”
These traditional toys are far more than retro novelties—they serve as powerful tools for intergenerational connection, bridging time and culture through hands-on, heartfelt play.
More Than Play — The Educational Value of “Using the Hands”
These traditional toy workshops offer more than just entertainment—they carry significant educational value. One local teacher noted, “Today’s children have fewer opportunities to use their fingers with precision. Making toys and engaging in analog play cultivates both focus and observation skills.”
For example, ohajiki (a game played with glass disks) requires controlled force and steady hands, while kendama (cup-and-ball) develops balance and the perseverance to keep trying. These activities nurture what can be described as embodied intelligence—skills that are difficult to acquire through digital games or tablets alone.
A Natural Gateway to Japanese Culture
The cultural organization Tsunagu JAPAN, which hosted the event, plans to continue offering workshops and festival-themed experiences centered around traditional Japanese toys.
“The key,” organizers explain, “is not to approach culture through formal lectures, but through play. By starting with fun, we hope people will naturally develop an interest in Japanese culture.”
Their approach is already showing results. Some families, inspired by the event, have gone on to purchase kendama and practice at home together, researching techniques and enjoying the game as a family. These moments represent the birth of everyday cultural exchange—where traditional Japanese play quietly finds its place in modern lives.
In Conclusion — Where “Nostalgia” Becomes Something New
Handmade, simple, analog—at first glance, these may seem like relics of a bygone era. Yet in today’s fast-paced, information-saturated urban life, these slow, mindful forms of play are once again touching hearts.
For children in Hong Kong, a Japanese ennichi is more than just a foreign-themed event—it’s a gateway to Japan experienced through all five senses. And traditional toys are the key that unlocks that door.