Our Goals

From the very beginning, We had a special goal in mind.

We wanted to create opportunities for children to discover the joy of the Japanese language and culture through engaging Japanese picture books, kamishibai (paper theater), panel theaters, and traditional storytelling.

Children from Japanese-speaking households often face challenges balancing their mother tongue with the local English language. During these times, we hope that our storytelling can spark a renewed interest in Japanese. Furthermore, we wish for children who speak other languages to also find a love for Japanese culture through our stories.

Following the pandemic that began in 2020, we also aim for our Japanese storytelling sessions to be places of healing, learning, and social interaction. We resumed our regular storytelling sessions in November 2022, and once again, our hearts were touched by the warm smiles and adorable comments of the children in person. Moreover, we continue to be comforted by the smiles of parents who enjoy singing nursery rhymes and playing games together. We hope to expand opportunities to share this precious time and space.

In environments where opportunities to experience Japanese are limited, we strive to create a space where people can interact in Japanese. If this can be a fun time for everyone, we would be delighted.

We have prepared many stories that allow you to enjoy the unique seasons and events of Japan.

Our History

Since 2008, our activities have been lovingly continued by Japanese language teachers and parents who adore storytelling and seeing children’s smiles. As of March 2024, we have performed over 700 sessions in Japanese communities and public libraries throughout the Bay Area. We named this group after Hiroshi Kawasaki’s famous poem, “Tampopo” (Dandelion), and other inspirations.