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Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa offers so many activities throughout the year for people of all ages. Especially during the summer when kids are on vacation from school, they call it a summer festival and have many activities for families to enjoy.

One of the big events for the summer is opening of Showa Kinen Park Rainbow Pool! I wrote about it here if you are interested.

Summer Festival [Part 1] in Showa Kinen Park – Rainbow Pool Opening!

So other than giant pool, what else is going on in Showa Kinen Park? I would like to introduce 3 events where you can experience traditional Japanese cultural activities.

Making Handmade Japanese Sweets

You can challenge making Japanese sweets called Wagashi (和菓子: わがし). A professional Japanese sweet maker from Akishima-shi will be there to teach you how to hand-make delicate Japanese sweets. Have you ever seen Japanese sweets? They are really cute and elegant at the same time.

You usually eat Wagashi with green tea. So after making Japanese sweets, you will also get to experience making Matcha, a type of green tea, and do Japanese tea ceremony. There is a certain way to follow to drink Matcha during tea ceremony. If it is your first time doing tea ceremony, you may find it difficult to follow all steps, but you will enjoy the unique moment. Don’t get intimated by thinking it would be hard! This event is also for kids too.

Why don’t you participate it as parent and kid, siblings, friends, or couple?

Event details

Date:
August 12th, 2019 Sunday (Holiday)
August 24th, 2019 Saturday

Time:
1. 10:30AM – 11:30AM
2. 1:00PM – 2:00PM
3. 2:30PM – 3:30PM

Where:
Japanese Tea Room “Kanfu-tei” (see the map below for the exact location)

Fee:
2,700 yen per pair

Capacity:
5 pairs per each session

How to sign up:
Call to register in advance (042-528-1867)

Japanese Tea Ceremony

If you are not interested in making sweets, but only want to try authentic Japanese tea ceremony, you have an option! You can only participate Japanese tea ceremony. Plus, you will get to taste Japanese sweet without making one yourself! Unlike Japanese sweet making event, this is event throughout the year. It’s held once every month. So even if you miss it during the summer, you will have have another chance in less crowded season.

If you have never experienced Japanese tea ceremony, it’s very unique experience and I recommend you try at least once while you are in Japan. Such tea ceremonies are offered in various places all throughout Japan so you will easily find one that suits your needs if you miss this one.

Event details

Date:
The 3rd Sunday of every month.
August 18th, 2019 Sunday during summer festival period.
August theme is “Cool Breeze”.

Time:
1. 11:00AM – 12:00PM
2. 1:00PM – 2:00PM

Where:
Japanese Tea Room “Kanfu-tei” (It’s the same location as “Making Handmade Japanese Sweets”. See the map above for the exact location.)

Fee:
600 yen

Capacity:
15 people per each session

How to sign up:
You cannot sign up in advance. It’s first come first served basis. Reception starts 30 minutes before each session.

Ai-Katazome – Traditional Japanese Indigo Dyeing Experience

Ai-Katazome is traditional Japanese dyeing technique. Of course the actual technique is not an easy process. See this page for the actual process of Katazome. https://kirikomade.com/pages/katazome You will find the process absolutely fascinating and beautiful!

At Showa Kinen Park this summer, you can experience simpler version of traditional dyeing technique to make your own tea mat in indigo color. Similar events happen throughout the year in Showa Kinen Park. For example, you can make scarf using this technique, etc. So if tea mat is not something that interests you, you will have another chance. Stay tuned!

Event details

Date:
August 23rd, 2019 Friday
August 24th, 2019 Saturday

Time:
1. 10:30AM – 12:00PM
2. 1:30PM – 3:00PM

Where:
Hana Midori Cultural Center Training Room (花みどり文化センター研修室) (See the map below for exact location.)

Fee:
800 yen

Capacity:
15 people per each session
Must be elementary school students and above ※ Elementary school children must participate with their parents

How to sign up:
Call to register in advance (042-526-8787) or register at Hana Midori Cultural Center counter

Is it your first summer in Japan? Why not trying something traditional with your kids, friends, or partner?

If you have any question regarding any of the events, please feel free to leave me a comment or send me an email. I would be more than happy to assist you!

Enjoy the summer!