May 5 isn’t just reserved for Cinco de Mayo. In Japan, Kodomo no Hi, or Children’s Day, is celebrated annually on May 5 to honor children’s good fortune and growth.

Portland Japanese Garden is hosting a festival for the holiday on Sunday, May 5, featuring a range of family-friendly activities, such as listening to taiko performances, learning origami or exploring the garden.

Koinobori, or carp streamers, are flown outside of homes and public buildings in Japan to create a festivities atmosphere during the month of April to early May.

Portland Japanese Garden will have its koinobori on display in the Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Foundation Courtyard and Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center.

Here’s the schedule:

• 9:30-10 a.m.: Members-only origami workshop taught by Yuki Martin in the Yanai Family Classroom.
• 10 a.m. to 2:30 pm: Origami workshop taught by Yuki Martin in the Yanai Family Classroom. Martin is the author of “Super Cute Origami Kit: Kawaii Paper Projects You Can Decorate in Thousands of Ways!”.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Explore the garden using the Discovery Map created in partnership with local artist and public joy creator, Mike Bennett. Copies can be picked up in the Tateuchi Courtyard. This activity goes through various garden locations. Don’t forget to collect a prize before leaving – they will be available to pick up near the entrance stairs in the Tateuchi Courtyard.
• 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Koi experts Linda Montgomery and Danielle Cheney will answer questions about koi by the Zig-Zag Bridge next to Heavenly Falls in the Strolling Pond Garden.
• 10:45 a.m.: Taiko performance by enTaiko at the Pavilion’s East Veranda.
• 11:45 a.m.: Taiko performance by enTaiko at the Pavilion’s East Veranda.
• 1:15 pm: Taiko performance by enTaiko at the Pavilion’s East Veranda.

The day of celebration was originally for boys called Tango no Sekku, meaning the fifth day of the fifth month, according to the Portland Japanese Garden website. In 1948, the Japanese government designated the day as a national holiday to honor both boys and girls.

Find more at the event page: japanesegarden.org/events/childrens-day-2025/.