The Hanami Festival at The Museum of Play brings Japanese spring and cherry blossom bloom to Espoo. In this spring event for the whole family, Japanese culture, blooming sakura and colorful pop culture are celebrated! The Hanami event offers experiences for the whole day: workshops, performances, cosplay, anime, kawaii atmosphere and a Japanese-themed vendor street.

The Hanami weekend at The Museum of Play combines play, creativity and community for all ages. Come along to enjoy the relaxed hanami feeling, take part in activities and find your own favorite moment at the cutest spring family event. The programme is included in the museum admission ticket price. We reserve the right to minor programme changes.

SATURDAY

NON STOP

Let’s Bloom Together – workshop

Sakura power! The participatory art workshop and collective artwork of The Museum of Play’s Hanami festival invites everyone to create a pink blooming cherry tree together.

Sailor Moon Hunt

In the name of the Moon! Sailor Moon and her friends have hidden themselves in The Museum of Play exhibition. Come and find all the hidden characters from the Sailor Moon series!

OPEN THROUGHOUT THE DAY

11:00 AM–5:00 PM Japan Street

Kawaii how cute! Come and make lovely finds at the Japanese-themed vendor stalls in the lobby of The Museum of Play. On Japan Street you will find the adorable stalls of From Ill With Love, Aah Laanila Studio, Funky Homo Sapiens, Typicalkathi and Tabikauppa.

12:00–5:00 PM Kotae Maid Café

Welcome to the Kotae Expo pop-up maid café at The Museum of Play’s Hanami event! At Kotae Maid Café you can experience the atmosphere of a traditional maid café from instant photos to food magic. The café’s delicious offerings are provided by Café Hyrrä.

WORKSHOPS & POINTS

10:30–11:30 AM and 3:00–4:00 PM Anime Character Tattoo Point

Kawaii! At the tattoo point you can get yourself a cute temporary tattoo.

11:00 AM–1:00 PM Scrapbooking Studio: design your badge

Come and make a unique Japan-themed pin in scrapbooking style, using a badge machine, fabric, stickers and decorate it in your own style! Material fee €2.

SHOWS & QUIZZES

11:00 AM Animanga quiz (easier)

Test your knowledge of Japanese animation and comics. This quiz is easier and tests general animanga knowledge.

11:30 AM ParaPara dance show

A handful of Japanese pop music, a pinch of eurobeat and a sprinkle of fun hand movements. From these ingredients an authentic Japanese parapara dance is created, performed for you by the amazing dancers of Helsinki Circle!

12:00 PM Cosplay Catwalk & Japan POP –street fashion show

At The Museum of Play Hanami, Japanese street fashion and cosplay combine into a spectacular whole. In the Cosplay Catwalk, characters from manga, anime, music and games take the stage. In the Japan POP section, bold and detailed styles inspired by street fashion are seen. The show is hosted by long-time cosplayer @toyml (Michael Lindström).

1:00 PM Capybara Meet & Greet

Come meet the cutest guest of Hanami! In the Capybara Meet & Greet programme you can greet a charming capybara mascot, hug and take photos together. The capybara brings Japanese kawaii atmosphere to Hanami and delights with its cuteness – a warm-hearted encounter for all ages!

1:30 PM ParaPara dance show

The second parapara dance performance of the day by Helsinki Circle!

2:00 PM Cosplay Catwalk & Japan POP –street fashion show

The second cosplay and Japan pop catwalk of the day. Hosted by @toyml (Michael Lindström).

3:00 PM Capybara Meet & Greet

The second chance of the day to hug the adorable capybara!

3:30 PM Animanga quiz (for enthusiasts)

Test your knowledge of Japanese animation and comics. This quiz is for true enthusiasts!

SUNDAY

NON STOP

Let’s Bloom Together – workshop

Sakura power! The participatory art workshop and collective artwork of The Museum of Play’s Hanami festival invites everyone to create a pink blooming cherry tree together.

Sailor Moon Hunt

In the name of the Moon! Sailor Moon and her friends have hidden themselves in The Museum of Play exhibition. Come and find all the hidden characters from the Sailor Moon series!

OPEN THROUGHOUT THE DAY

11:00 AM–5:00 PM Japan Street

Kawaii how cute! Come and make lovely finds at the Japanese-themed vendor stalls in the lobby of The Museum of Play. On Japan Street you will find the adorable stalls of From Ill With Love, Aah Laanila Studio, Funky Homo Sapiens, Typicalkathi and Tabikauppa.

WORKSHOPS & POINTS

10:30–11:30 AM and 3:00–4:00 PM Anime Character Tattoo Point

Kawaii! At the tattoo point you can get yourself a cute temporary tattoo.

11:00 AM–1:00 PM Scrapbooking Studio: design your badge

Come and make a unique Japan-themed pin in scrapbooking style, using a badge machine, fabric, stickers and decorate it in your own style! Material fee €2.

SHOWS & QUIZZES

11:00 AM Animanga quiz (easier)

Test your knowledge of Japanese animation and comics. This quiz is easier and tests general animanga knowledge.

11:30 AM ParaPara dance show

A handful of Japanese pop music, a pinch of eurobeat and a sprinkle of fun hand movements. From these ingredients an authentic Japanese parapara dance is created, performed for you by the amazing dancers of Helsinki Circle!

12:00 PM Cosplay Catwalk & Japan POP –street fashion show

At The Museum of Play Hanami, Japanese street fashion and cosplay combine into a spectacular whole. In the Cosplay Catwalk, characters from manga, anime, music and games take the stage. In the Japan POP section, bold and detailed styles inspired by street fashion are seen. The show is hosted by long-time cosplayer @toyml (Michael Lindström).

1:00 PM Capybara Meet & Greet

Come meet the cutest guest of Hanami! In the Capybara Meet & Greet programme you can greet a charming capybara mascot, hug and take photos together. The capybara brings Japanese kawaii atmosphere to Hanami and delights with its cuteness – a warm-hearted encounter for all ages!

1:30 PM ParaPara dance show

The second parapara dance performance of the day by Helsinki Circle!

2:00 PM Cosplay Catwalk & Japan POP –street fashion show

The second cosplay and Japan pop catwalk of the day. Hosted by @toyml (Michael Lindström).

3:00 PM Capybara Meet & Greet

The second chance of the day to hug the adorable capybara!

3:30 PM Animanga quiz (for enthusiasts)

Test your knowledge of Japanese animation and comics. This quiz is for true enthusiasts!