Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival Adelaide

Hello everyone,

It has nearly been a year since our 30th anniversary celebration of the Kodomo No Hi Japanese Festival.

Recently, we have been receiving messages asking about Kodomo No Hi 2026. I am very happy that so many of you are looking forward to the festival. However, as announced during last year’s 30th anniversary celebration, Kodomo No Hi came to an end with that milestone event.

Our aim for Kodomo No Hi was to promote Japanese culture and to create a day dedicated to respecting children’s personalities and celebrating their happiness. Over the years, we have proudly achieved this goal. We have seen countless smiles, laughter, and moments of joy. We were also honoured to receive the Community Event of the Year award from the City of West Torrens in 2018.

As a volunteer-based organisation, we experienced rapid growth. Each year, we had more than 250 volunteers, over 30 stallholders, and a dedicated festival committee—who are also volunteers—contributing their time and effort. The festival has grown to a scale that is no longer manageable for volunteers alone, and I sincerely appreciate the hard work everyone has put into making it possible. Your enjoyment of the festival has always been the greatest reward for our planning team.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to continue the festival in the future. However, I am truly grateful that you enjoyed Kodomo No Hi. Without your attendance, sponsorship, volunteer efforts, stallholder participation, and the dedication of our planning team, this successful journey would not have been possible.

Thank you very much, and we hope to see you again in other ways in the future.

From Hayden
Festival Coordinator
Kodomo No Hi 2025

What a festival it was!

Thanks to all of you, our incredible volunteers, this year’s Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival was filled with joy, colour, and connection.

We had a record number of volunteers turn up this year, and what stood out most wasn’t just how many of you came, but how wholeheartedly you gave. From the moment we started our preparation to the final clean-up, you brought kindness, positivity, and a genuine willingness to help, often without even being asked. You made guests feel welcome, supported your teammates, and created a warm, memorable atmosphere for everyone who attended.

We hope you had a good time, felt appreciated, found meaning in your efforts, and maybe even made a new friend or two.

Many of you might not realise that every subcommittee member and area manager you saw working throughout the day, checking on logistics, guiding volunteers, managing the flow of events, is also an unpaid volunteer. Just like you, they started as general volunteers in years past. They stepped into new roles not because they were told to, but because they cared.

This year, I joined the subcommittee for the first time. And I’ve come to deeply admire what goes into planning a festival of this size. Months of preparation. Late-night emails. Weekend meetings. Balancing work, study, and personal life. It’s not always easy, and we don’t always get everything perfect, but we keep going. We learn by doing. We adapt. We show up. And above all, we support each other.

To our dedicated team of subcommittee members and area managers: thank you. Your effort, care, and quiet commitment hold this festival together. And to Hayden, our Festival Coordinator, thank you for leading us all with steadiness and heart.

If you took any photos during the day, we’d love for you to share them with us or tag us in your posts. It means a lot to see the festival through your eyes, the small moments, the laughter, the friendships.

Together, we made something special. And for that, we are truly grateful.

We have another chance to see you all at the Thank You Party. Hope to see you there! And this time, could someone please remember to take a group photo of all of us?

With appreciation,

🌸 The Flowers I Carried Home 🌸

It’s Tuesday now. The festival ended on Sunday, and after the whirlwind of movement, colour, and voices, today finally feels still. A quiet day. A good day to reflect.

During the preparation for this year Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival, I was helping with the ikebana showcase. Then Noriko-san, the artist behind the arrangement, turned to me with a smile and handed me a few stems of alstroemeria—Peruvian lilies, some call them. Others call them the Lily of the Incas. I didn’t know then how much that simple gesture would linger with me.

The flowers, like Noriko-san herself, carried a quiet grace. She brought more than art—she brought lightness. A calm, cheerful presence that made people pause and soften. It wasn’t loud or showy, but it reached people in its own honest way.

I didn’t have a vase at home. Just a coconut water carton, a skincare bottle, a shelf. Some of the stems had snapped on my ride back—so I trimmed them, gave them a smaller space to bloom. It’s what I had. And in that moment, I realised how familiar the act felt.

The festival itself is like that. Held together not by perfection, but by care. Every corner run by volunteers—every stall, every program, every smile. No one is paid. We use what we have. We give what we can. And somehow, it blooms.

These flowers now rest in quiet corners of my room—emblems of that spirit. Friendship. Companionship. The unspoken support that makes a community feel like home. Kindness that asks for nothing, but offers everything. And when it is received with equal care, it becomes something deeply precious.

Thank you, Noriko-san, for the flowers. For your art. For your presence. You reminded me why we do this.

Follow her work:
🌿
🌸 www.noriandco.com



Photo: Natalie Kinnear on Unsplash

🌺 Okinawa: Eclectic and Original 🎌
If you're curious about Okinawan culture — its resilience, beauty, and unique history — this NHK World documentary is a must-watch.
📺 Barakan Discovers: Okinawa
🔗 https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/3004850/

Once an independent kingdom, Okinawa (formerly the Ryukyu Kingdom) thrived by embracing cultural exchange. That legacy of openness and adaptability still shapes Okinawa’s identity today — through its music, dance, food, language, and peaceful activism.

🎙️ In this program, broadcaster Peter Barakan meets Okinawan locals who are working to heal the scars of war and preserve their unique cultural heritage. It’s a moving and beautifully told story of identity, resilience, and connection.

🧠 We believe NHK World is one of the best resources for learning about Japanese culture — thoughtful, in-depth, and globally accessible.

💬 What are your favourite sources for exploring Japanese culture — books, documentaries, podcasts, or YouTube channels?
Drop your recommendations in the comments 👇 We’d love to discover them with you!

🎏 Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival 2025 – TOMORROW!
📍 Unley Town Hall Precinct
🕚 11 AM – 4 PM
🎫 $5 per person | $10 per family (up to 4 pax) | Kids under 5: FREE | Free entry in traditional Japanese attire!

🌐 More info: knhjapanfestival.com.au
🎟️ Hosted by JAFA – jafa.asn.au

📸 Photo credits: kadoyatakumi, Skaterlunatic, Roméo A. on Pixabay & Unsplash

What’s Happening Inside the Council Chamber? Step in and Explore!
If you're walking past the blue sign for the Council Chamber or facing the front entrance of the building (with that colourful mural and glass doors) — you’re in the right place to experience some of the most elegant and hands-on parts of the festival!

Inside the City of Unley Council Chamber, you’ll find:

✨ Kimono Dress-Up
✂️ Origami Craft Station
🖋️ Japanese Calligraphy Workshop
🌸 Ikebana (Japanese Flower Arranging)
🎨 Exhibition featuring the stunning works of Hiroko Kimura, the foot artist from Okinawa.

This space will be filled with calm, creativity, and beauty — perfect for those wanting a break from the bustling energy of the outdoor areas. Whether you're dressing up, folding cranes, or admiring Hiroko Kimura’s breathtaking story and paintings, there's something here to inspire everyone.

🗺️ Use these photos to find your way — just follow the path toward the Council Chamber entrance.

🎏 Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival 2025 – TOMORROW!
📍 Unley Town Hall Precinct
🕚 11 AM – 4 PM
🎫 $5 per person | $10 per family (up to 4 pax) | Kids under 5: FREE | Free entry in traditional Japanese attire!

🌐 More info: knhjapanfestival.com.au
🎟️ Hosted by JAFA – jafa.asn.au

Looking for the Maid Café, 4WD Display, or Train Simulation? Here's Your Entrance!
If you're heading to the Maid Café, 4WD car exhibition, or the Train Simulation display at Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival, this is the entrance you’re looking for!

📍 It’s the alley between the Unley Town Hall and the Council Chamber.
We’re using this entrance to keep things running smoothly and to avoid disturbing the quiet space inside the library.

Even though we’re pretty sure you won’t miss the line of people eagerly waiting for the Maid Café, this is your official entry point to those activities!

Follow the signs, follow the fun — and we’ll see you there!

🎏 Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival 2025
🗓️ TOMORROW | 11 AM – 4 PM
📍 Unley Town Hall Precinct
🎫 $5 per person | $10 per family (4 pax) | Kids under 5 & attendees in Japanese attire: FREE

🌐 knhjapanfestival.com.au

💃 Okinawan Spirit in Motion – Meet Akiko Hawkins 🌺
We're thrilled to welcome Akiko Hawkins, founder of the Perth Okinawa Association and dance group TIDA, to the Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival 2025!

Originally from Okinawa, Akiko began learning traditional Ryukyuan dance in her early 20s, inspired by her mother. Since moving to Perth two decades ago, her connection to her Okinawan roots has only deepened.

In 2016, Akiko established TIDA, a vibrant Okinawan dance group based in Perth, followed by the Perth Okinawa Association in 2017. Through cultural performances, workshops, and community events, both groups have flourished — connecting Okinawan Australians and promoting the rich heritage of the Ryukyu Islands across the country.

Last year, Akiko returned to Okinawa to retrain and grade in traditional dance, showing her commitment to keeping the culture alive and growing. From timeless traditional forms to her own creative interpretations, Akiko brings passion, elegance, and joy to every performance.

🎶 Join us at Kodomo no Hi 2025 to experience Okinawan dance like never before!

🎏 Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival 2025
📍 Unley Town Hall Precinct
🕚 11 AM – 4 PM – TOMORROW!
🎫 $5 per person | $10 per family (up to 4 pax) | Kids under 5: FREE | Free entry in traditional Japanese attire!

🌐 More info: knhjapanfestival.com.au
🎟️ Hosted by JAFA – jafa.asn.au

🎧 Listen to Akiko’s story in this SBS Japanese podcast: https://phoenix.mkoga.edsqa01.aws.sbs.com.au/language/japanese/en/podcast-episode/feeling-my-okinawan-heritage-stronger-in-the-land-down-under-akiko-hawkins/vhcfu6ysm

TOMORROW is the big day! 🎉

🎨 Meet the Artists at Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival ✨
Join us for an unforgettable celebration of Japanese culture — and don’t miss the chance to meet two incredible artists.

We are honoured to welcome two inspiring artists from Okinawa to this year’s festival: Hiroko Kimura, a renowned foot painter, and Toshihiro Shinzato, a master of calligraphy.

🖌️ Hiroko Kimura was born in Manchuria and became paraplegic at the age of two due to cerebral palsy. Using only the toes of her left foot, she taught herself to write, draw, and paint. Her life’s journey is one of strength, creativity, and peace — values that shine through her delicate artworks depicting mythological scenes, landscapes, and nature. She has held exhibitions worldwide and established inclusive training centres in Japan and Australia. Now in her 80s, Hiroko lives in Okinawa, painting and spreading her message of peace.
🔗 https://imfpa.org/en-us/blogs/artist/hiroko-kimura

🖋️ Toshihiro Shinzato is a calligrapher and teacher based in Okinawa. He leads over 20 classes across and beyond the prefecture, with more than 2,000 students. As the Representative of the Ryukyu Calligraphy Association, his bold calligraphy performances — often using large brushes — have been showcased on television and international stages, including Hawaii.
🔗 https://r.goope.jp/yuisho/free/profile

In 2024, Hiroko and Mr Shinzato held a joint exhibition in Hahndorf titled “Art for Peace”, blending poetry, painting, and live calligraphy to share a message of harmony rooted in the indigenous Ryukyuan culture.

🧡 Their generosity continues at Kodomo no Hi 2025, where they’ve donated beautiful raffle prizes:
🦁 3 Okinawan Shisa (Guardian Lion statues)
👕 3 Okinawan T-Shirts

🎏 Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival 2025 – TOMORROW!
📍 Unley Town Hall Precinct
🕚 11 AM – 4 PM
🎫 $5 per person | $10 per family (up to 4 pax) | Kids under 5: FREE | Free entry in traditional Japanese attire!

🌐 More info: knhjapanfestival.com.au
🎟️ Hosted by JAFA – jafa.asn.au

🥋✨ MARTIAL ARTS SHOWCASE – STRENGTH, FOCUS, TRADITION ✨🥋
Witness the power and precision of Japanese martial arts live on stage at the Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival 2025! 🇯🇵💥

📅 Sunday, May 4th
⏰ Martial Arts Performances: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
📍 At the Civic Parking, Unley Town Hall Precinct

Prepare to be inspired as dedicated martial artists demonstrate discipline, skill, and respect in a dynamic showcase of traditional Japanese styles 🥋

Featuring:
University Of South Australia Shodokan Aikido Club
Flinders University Shodokan Aikido Club
Ryukyu Kobudo Ryukonkai Shoshinkan
Adelaide Kenyukai Kendo Club
Abbe Budo School Of Kyushindo

This is a must-see highlight for families, martial arts fans, and anyone interested in Japanese culture!

👘 SPECIAL FEATURE:
🕜 13:30 – Kimono Parade
Celebrate the beauty and elegance of traditional Japanese clothing — join the parade or enjoy the view!

📸 Snap a photo with our performers, or ask questions after the show — they’ll be happy to share more about their journey and styles!

🎏 It’s more than a performance — it’s a celebration of honour, spirit, and tradition.

🎤✨ MAIN STAGE PERFORMANCES – MEET OUR TALENTED LINE-UP! ✨🎤
Only 3 days left! Get ready for a full day of live music, dance, and cultural showcases at the Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival 2025 Main Stage! 🎏🎶

📅 Sunday, May 4th
⏰ 11 AM – 4 PM
📍 Main Stage – Village Green (Unley Town Hall Precinct)

We’re thrilled to present a spectacular line-up of performers ready to bring the spirit of Japan to life right here in Unley! 🇯🇵🌸

🌟 MAIN STAGE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the amazing acts performing throughout the day:

🖌️ Live Calligraphy Performance by Shinzato Toshihiro
https://r.goope.jp/yuisho/free/profile
Watch ink come to life in this stunning display of artistry and tradition by a renowned Okinawan calligraphy master.

💃 Traditional Okinawan Dance
Graceful, rhythmic, and rich in heritage — enjoy the unique charm of Okinawan culture through dance.

🪕 Taiko Drummers – Feel the power of traditional Japanese drums as they shake the ground and stir your soul!
https://www.matsuritaiko.com.au/

🦁 Lion Dance
Feel the energy as the iconic lion takes the stage! A powerful and thrilling performance the whole family will love.

🎶 And more throughout the day!
Follow this link for the detail: https://knhjapanfestival.com.au/program-2025/

📸 Swipe through to meet our performers! Show them some love! 💖
🎏 Let’s celebrate Japanese culture together!