Koinobori (鯉のぼり) is a set of carp-shaped banners that float and flap in the air for the Children’s Day celebrations from April to May. There is something strangely fascinating about koinobori on a beautiful sunny day. Koinobori display various colors, designs, and sizes which stream freely and strongly in the wind, which always touches my heart. I can feel that summer is coming whenever I see koinobori in my city.
Nowadays, rather than each family or house celebrating individually, many cities and local communities seem to celebrate Children’s Day with a large number of koinobori. Some of these events are really picturesque. In this article, I’ll be introducing some gorgeous spots to see Koinobori in the Kanto (関東) area!
According to Koinobori-Japan and Wikipedia “koinobori” entry, a carp is regarded as a symbol of promotion and strength in Japan. It’s said that the figures of carp climbing up waterfalls impressed people in old times. Children’s Day is a celebration for boys, therefore koinobori are also strongly associated with boys.
Rich Japanese people started to celebrate Children’s Day with koi nobori exhibited outside of their houses in the middle of the Edo (江戸) Era and the custom has spread across the nation.
Tatebayashi Koinobori no Sato is a world famous Koinobori Festival that takes place in Tatebayashi City (館林市) in Gunma Prefecture (群馬県). It holds a Guinness World Record for the number of carp banners displayed, which is more than 5,000 banners every year.
In 2019, this event is being held from March 25th to May 10th. Koinobori is exhibited in five different areas of Tatebayashi City: Tsuruuda-gawa River (鶴生田川), Morinji-gawa River (茂林寺川), Tsutsujigaoka Park Inn (つつじが岡パークイン), Kondo-numa Marsh (近藤沼), and Tatara-numa Park (多々良沼公園). Tsuruuda-gawa River display is a 15-minute walk from Tatebayashi (館林) station, which can be found on the Tobu Isesaki line (東武伊勢崎線).
Tatebayashi Tourism Association website
Uzuma no Koinobori takes place in Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture (栃木県栃木市). You can find one thousand carp banners over Uzuma River (巴波川). You can also enjoy Uzuma River boat ride while seeing beautiful koinobori. In addition to this, Tochigi City is worth visiting even without Koinobori. The old and traditional streets are splendid.
Tochigi City has a perfectly informative English website and even free wi-fi within the city. You are able to see the koi nobori from 15th of March to 10th of May in 2019.
Uzuma no Koibori website*Japanese Only
Access
東京タワーの鯉のぼり🎏
私がビー玉で撮影をすると
息子もやりたい！やりたい！って手を伸ばしてきました⿻*॰ॱ(笑#ファインダー越しの私の世界#写真好きな人と繋がりたい#写真撮ってる人と繋がりたい#東京カメラ部 #カメラ女子#ふぉと #東京タワー #鯉のぼり pic.twitter.com/4PH9qleAlE— ℳ੨ⁿᵃ⑅᛭ (@manako_kcty) 2017年5月14日
If you don’t feel like taking a two-hour train ride from Tokyo to see Koionobori, this is good news! Tokyo Tower also holds a Koinobori Event with 333 carp banners! At night, they also light up! Tokyo Tower Koinobori is available for viewing from the 21st of March to the 6th of May 2019.
Tokyo Tower koinobori event website
Access
Actually, there are many other Koi nobori events throughout Japan. However, this time, I confine myself to introducing these relatively accessible places above. Because the koi nobori celebration is more popular and thriving in less populated areas, a bit far away from Tokyo, it is difficult to get to some koi nobori areas without a car.
If you are interested, there is also a fantastic Koi nobori spot in my neighborhood, at Unga Mizube-koen Park (水辺公園). Every year, they seem to upgrade the number of carp banners! There won’t be thousands of them at Mizube-koen Park, but it’s still impressive.
Mizube Park is a three-minute walk from Unga Station (運河駅) on the Tobu Urban Park Line (東武野田線). The koi nobori event is annually held sometime from April until May. In early May, you will for sure find koi nobori near Unga Station. Have a wonderful koi nobori experience!
Related Articles:
Kodomo no Hi: Celebrating Children’s Day in Japan
Fall in Love with Koi: The Japanese National Fish