HUNTING FOR KOINOBORI

May 5th is Children’s Day (Japan has gone all PC and changed it from Boys’ Day to Children’s Day – we still call it Boys’ Day … coz.. my logic is.. well it was Girls’ Day a little while ago so the little guys need a turn too, right?)
Anyway.. it’s a holiday set aside to celebrate happy and healthy kiddies.

And, if you’re wondering what all the flying fish kites ‘Koinobori‘ is all about…. Koi means carp and it symbolizes strength and success. According to a Chinese legend, a carp swam upstream to become a dragon. So it is in reference to strength,determination and courage and encouraging children to go for (and reach) their wildest dreams.

If you’re looking to see koinobori in Tokyo, I recommend heading to Hinokicho Park next to Midtown in Roppongi.
May 3-6 they have a giant koinobori that everyone can run through (between 11am-5pm – cancelled if it rains). It’s very cute.
There will also be some ‘make your own koinobori’ workshops throughout the days – although kids must be 3 or older to participate. (Costs 1000 yen and its at a first come first serve basis – starts at 11am .. queuing begins at 10am)

There are food stalls set up in the park for the occasion too.
Take a picnic mat and a change of clothing and there are some small fountains where kids can splash around.

This park is also good as it has the play equipment and open space but also a little Japanese garden section and Midtown department store is just right there if you need anything.

HINOKICHO (TOKYO MIDTOWN) PARK
9-7-1 AKASAKA
赤坂9-7-1
OPEN 5am-11pm

And if your kids need a wriggle but you don’t have time for the park, in front of Midtown are some sculptures that my kids just love to climb all over.

Inside the Midtown Complex is a beautiful “Frozen Popsicle/ Frozen Smoothie” shop that we all love. The chain shop Paletas has a branch inside Midtown and is a lovely place to grab an icypole. They call themselves a frozen fruit bar. They are so pretty to look at, photograph and gobble up. I love the berry flavours and my children go for the chocolate banana. Believe it or not, they do take away with dry ice too.

PALETAS, TOKYO MIDTOWN STORE
港区赤坂9-7-3東京ミッドタウンガレリアB1
TOKYO MIDTOWN GALLERIA B1 FLOOR, 9-7-3 AKASAKA, MINATO

OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-9PM
WEBSITE

For before or after ideas, see my Roppongi with Kids post here.

Another cool spot to see Koinobori (that’s not too far away from Midtown) is just outside of Tokyo Tower.

This photo is courtesy of the Tokyo Tower website (my pics were too blurry.)
All the details are here.

**I also saw koinobori at Tokyo Dome a few days ago but.. to be honest? It was so busy and gross for Golden Week that I don’t recommend going anywhere near the place right now.**

There is also the Koinobori Now! Installation that I haven’t made it to yet – but have heard very good things about. Details here.

And another idea, if you’re willing to travel out of town.
Kurihama Flower Park is especially gorgeous right now. You may have heard of this place as it it famous for the giant Godzilla slide.
Their koinobori display is particularly breathtaking and you can take it in from a little choo-choo train.
I’ve written a whole new (and much more detailed) post on this park. See here.

While you’re already there..

The Godzilla Slide at Kurihama Flower World a is retro Japan slice of delight. Although it is quite a distance from the centre of Tokyo (70 mins on the train and then a 15 minute walk or a few mins in a taxi from Kurihama Station), it is a full day event. The park has the godzilla slide, a gigantic playground including a gigantic roller slide, a children’s train (flower train) to ride around the park and beautiful fields of flowers (of course, colours and varieties vary with each season.)

The Godzilla Slide is located in a section of the park called “Bouken Land” (Adventure Land). There are lots of restrooms, change tables and places to buy snacks throughout the park.

KURIHAMA FLOWER WORLD
1-BANCHI SHINMEICHO, YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA
神奈川県横須賀市神明町1番地
OPEN EVERYDAY.
*ADVENTURE LAND : 10AM-6PM
*HERB GARDEN : 9AM-5PM (CLOSED MONDAYS)
*HOT SPRING “POOL” FOR FEET :10AM-4PM (CLOSED MONDAYS)
*PARK GOLF COURSE: 9AM-5PM (CLOSED MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS IF MONDAY WAS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY) CHECK AT COURSE OFFICE FOR PRICES. NOT FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5
*ARCHERY & AIR-RIFLE FACILITIES: 8:30AM-8:00PM (UNTIL 5PM IN WINTER, CLOSED MONDAYS)
ADMISSION TO THE PARK IS FREE ( FLOWER TRAIN IS 210 YEN PER ADULTS & 100YEN FOR CHILDREN)
WEBSITE (JAPANESE ONLY)

And then… if you’re wanting to get a bit koinobori crafty? You’ll welcome to try my semi-craft fail ….
I made these two using bits of wrapping paper, sticky tape, disposable chopsticks and string. The body of the fish is a chopped and rolled up clear file.
The reason I’m calling it a fail? My little boy said they look like minions and now I can’t unsee it ! haha.