Kodomo no Hi, Children's Day
Included with daily Japanese Gardens admission; see ticket link for prices
Kodomo no Hi, also called Children's Day, is commemorated each year in Japan on May 5th to celebrate the growth and good fortune of children. Portland Japanese Garden's celebration of the festival will feature a range of family-friendly activities. Come listen to taiko performances, learn origami, enjoy displays of koinobori, or cloth carp streamers. You can also explore the Garden using a new bright and joyful map created by local Portland artist Mike Bennett, available at the entrance stairs in the Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Courtyard.
Guests attending the Garden’s Children's Day celebration will notice our koinobori in the Tateuchi Foundation Courtyard and Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center. In Japan, these streamers are flown outside of homes and public buildings, creating a festive atmosphere from April through early May.
Joining the festive decorations will be the opportunity to learn more about real koi. These beloved fish that swim near the Zig-Zag Bridge and Heavenly Falls in our Strolling Pond Garden, are thought to symbolize courage and determination as they swim upstream and through powerful waterfalls. Experts will be near the Zig-Zag Bridge all day giving talks about koi and will be available to answer questions about them. We'll also be showing our fun and informative Curious About Koi video in the Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner.
Click 'More info' to view the whole program.