Hinamatsuri is an annual celebration held on March 3rd with wishes for the healthy growth and happiness of girls. Come and enjoy tasting a few kinds of Japanese tea, the Japanese calligraphy, origami and traditional Japanese toys at SICPF, which will be decorated with hina dolls. One of our volunteer members will tell a ghost story written by Lafcadio Hearn in Japanese and English. We also enjoy the Shakuhachi, Japanese flute made of bamboo, performance. Check our blog for more details. Date: Saturday, February 28, 1:30-3:00 p.m. Place: Sapporo International Communication Plaza (3rd Floor, MN Bldg., Kita 1 Nishi 3-3) Target: Anyone is welcome. Fee: Free

Enjoy a winter walking tour for non-Japanese people with citizen volunteers in the Sapporo Art Park Sculpture Garden. Snowshoe while appreciating the sculptures and winter scenery. Check our blog for more details. Date: Saturday, January 31, 10:50a.m.-1:30p.m. Venue: Sapporo Art Park Sculpture Garden Target participants: Foreign nationals (Children OK） Meeting time: 10:50 Meeting place: Ticket gate at Makomanai Subway Station [N16], subway Namboku line Participation fee: Rental fee for snowshoes: 500 yen/ Free for 6th graders and under *Bus fare or parking fee will be at your own expense. Capacity: First 15 people *Sign up to participate in the tour at the link below. https://forms.gle/TJuUDkLcs7rqDzFt6 *Come with boots which are […]

Sapporo International Student Center provided “Japanese Culture Experience Program for international students” on Oct. 26th.　Multicultural Connection Unit “SKY” cooperated with this event and 18 of international students and their family members from 10 countries joined it. After a PowerPoint presentation on the tea ceremony, participants watched the Yabuuchi-ryu Otemae (Yabuuchi-style tea ceremony) in complete silence, from carrying the tea utensils in to carrying them out. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed the experience of taking turns as a host to make tea and as a guest to drink it.

The Origami Workshop is held at the Sapporo International Communication Plaza Foundation. We make “Present Box and Fairy”. Citizen volunteers teach in English and easy Japanese. Children and beginners are welcome. No reservation required. Please come directly to the Plaza on the day. Date: Saturday, November 15, 11:00a.m.-noon Target participants: Anyone Venue: Sapporo International Communication Plaza Foundation (MN Bldg. 3F, Kita 1 Nishi 3-3) Fee: Free Details: https://sjcunit.blogspot.jp

Sapporo International Student Center provided “Japanese Culture Experience Program for international students” on June 29th.　Multicultural Connection Unit “SKY” cooperated with this event and 18 of international students and their family members from 11 of countries and regions joined it. First, Ikebana was explained using PowerPoint, followed by a demonstration of the basic forms of Ikebana. Each participant then experienced Ikebana with the advice of instructors.

“Sky” is a Multicultural Connection Unit, one of the groups in the Sapporo International Communication Plaza Foreign Language Volunteer Network. For foreign families with babies/toddlers, we provide a volunteer activity “Let’s go  to Kosodate Salon”. In Sapporo, there are about 300 Kosodate salons where parents & babies/toddlers (0-6 yrs) can come and play for free. At those salons, you can enjoy talking with other parents and/or consult with child-caring professionals. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact us.  We can assist you on the first visit to a Kosodate salon near your residence. Application form: https://forms.gle/LQZbu7dSXvdbB2d69 Inquiry: skykosodate@gmail.com Flier : Kosodate-flier-tate-EN

We had the Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival) event at Sapporo International Communication Plaza on March 1st. Over 40 people including children came and enjoyed the tea ceremony, Japanese calligraphy, origami and traditional Japanese toys. We also enjoyed watching and dancing(!) the Hyottoko Dance.