Children’s Day, celebrated on May 5th in Japan, is a national holiday honoring children and expressing hope for their happy, healthy future.
Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia commemorates Children’s Day each year at the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center with displays of traditional items associated with the holiday, including miniature Japanese samurai armor sets, Hina dolls, and festive fish-shaped streamers (koinobori) in the garden. These holiday displays will be on view through May 17, 2024.
Plan a visit to Shofuso to learn more about Children’s Day traditions, see the holiday displays, feed colorful koi in the pond, and enjoy the Japanese garden with its blooming azaleas. Throughout the day on Sunday, May 5th, we will be hosting activities like origami and kamishibai storytelling. Join us for a day of fun for the whole family!
Sunday, May 5, 2024
11:00am–5:00pm
Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center
West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA / Google Maps >>
All Children’s Day displays and activities are included with admission to Shofuso.
In honor of Children’s Day, admission fees for Shofuso are reduced to $5 for visitors under 18.
Educational Resources
Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia has prepared a series of lesson plans around the annual Children’s Day holiday. Each is available as a PDF download from the JASGP website.
Lesson 1— What is Children’s day?
Lesson 2— A Mini Tour of Shofuso
Lesson 3— Koinobori
Lesson 4— Kamishibai “Paper Theater”
Lesson 5— Fan Dance Demonstration
Lesson 6— Hina Dolls
Group Tours
Scheduled in-person tours of the house and garden at Shofuso are available for groups of 8-40 people, Tuesdays-Fridays, beginning at 11:OOam. For more information and to book a group tour, please contact Mike Lewis, JASGP Program Manager at mlewis@japanphilly.org.