Explore the cultures of Japan this summer with a series of free family-friendly drop-in workshops at Japan House London. Each session invites participants to learn about Japan while getting creative, with activities including making and playing with origami spinning tops and creating seasonal Tanabata decorations.
Make and Play with Spinning Tops
Spinning tops, known as koma in Japanese, are one of the oldest and most richly varied toys in the world. Japan, in particular, is known for its numerous regional varieties. Have a go at making an origami spinning top and enjoy watching it spin using an activity sheet created with support from the Japan Toy Museum.
Sunday 26 July 2026, 14:30–16:30 (Hall)
Wednesday 29 July 2026, 14:30–16:30 (Library)
Sunday 2 August 2026, 14:30–16:30 (Hall)
Monday 3 August 2026, 14:30–16:30 (Library)
Wednesday 5 August 2026, 14:30–16:30 (Library)
Sunday 9 August 2026, 14:30–16:30 (Hall)
Saturday 15 August 2026, 14:30–16:30 (Hall)
Make Your Own Tanabata Decorations
Tanabata is a summer festival celebrating the legendary meeting of two stars, Orihime and Hikoboshi, who can only meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month. Tanabata evolved from an older festival known as Kikkōden when people would write wishes for improvement in artistic pursuits on mulberry leaves. Today, Tanabata wishes are written on colourful paper strips called tanzaku and hung on branches of bamboo. Create your own Tanabata decorations to hang on a plant or tree and learn more about this festival tradition.
Tuesday 11 August 2026, 14:30–16:30 (Library)
Thursday 13 August 2026, 14:30–16:30 (Library)
Sunday 16 August 2026, 14:30–16:30 (Hall)
Monday 17 August 2026, 14:30–16:30 (Library)
Friday 21 August 2026, 14:30–16:30 (Hall)
Saturday 22 August 2026, 14:30–16:30 (Hall)
Wednesday 26 August 2026, 14:30–16:30 (Library)
Saturday 29 August 2026, 14:30–16:30 (Hall)