Community Notices

Children's Day in Japan is set aside as a national holiday on May 5 each year to celebrate children. The event pays respect and honours children's strengths and personalities and grants wishes of health and happiness.

On Children's Day in Japan, carp-shaped streamers and windsocks called 'koinobori' (a symbol of the carp's strength as it swims against the current) are displayed outside homes, in streets and parks, representing the desire for children to become healthy, brave and strong individuals.

Many other communities across the world have joined Japan in celebrating children, and their local Japanese community, by running their own Japanese Children's Day celebrations. In recognition of their long-standing sister city relationship with Yaizu, Japan, Hobart City celebrate Japanese Children’s Day each year. Their relationship with Yaizu is founded on strong people to people links, cultural connections and shared values, particularly around children and education.

The City of Hobart, in partnership with the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, will celebrate Children's Day in 2023 with a display of children's written works on handcrafted koinobori decorations hung in the RTBG's Japanese Garden. The Gardens will also display several six metre traditional Koinobori windsocks donated by Hobart's Japanese sister city, Yaizu. The Koinbori display in the RTBG is running until Sunday 7 May 2023.

Mount Carmel students from Years 1 - 6 have made a piece of art which will be included in the installation at the Japanese Gardens. They look stunning set against a backdrop of the changing colours of autumn leaves. Families and friends of Mount Carmel are encouraged to visit the Botanical Gardens this weekend to see the colourful art.

Traditionally the activities to mark Children's Day are concentrated around the Japanese Garden within the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens (RTBG). This year however, there will be a range of activities on Saturday 6 May in Wellington Court in the city centre. Activities include carp making, art displays, live performances, games and giveaways and run from 10.30am to 2.30pm.

Click on the link below to see the program of events celebrating this festival.