The 24th Fukaya Children's International Festival: An event where you can enjoy songs, dances, multinational cuisine, art experiences, and a finale with 3,000 "dream balloons" being launched, will be held again this year!

The 24th Fukaya Children's International Festival MEET! ~For the Next Future~, an annual event hosted by the Social Welfare Corporation Shinkokai, will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Fukaya Citizen's Culture Hall Main Hall and Fukaya Castle Ruins Park. This event began with the philosophy, "Even if words don't connect, feelings can," based on the study abroad experience of the late former Director-General, Takaaki Goto, who invited children from various countries around the world. Currently, Jimei Goto, the Deputy Director-General, who followed in his late father's footsteps and also has study abroad experience, is central to its implementation. (Photos show past events)

Last year, approximately 2,600 visitors attended, and this year, 2,500 to 3,000 visitors are expected. 40 participants will visit Japan from the sister-city friendly organizations "St. Paul Christian School," "NUBES Children's Choir," and "Saebyeol Kindergarten," where they will interact through songs, dances, and traditional games from various countries. The performances by the senior class (Shiro-gumi) children from Fukaya Nursery School, Fukaya Nishi Nursery School, Fukaya Fujisawa Nursery School, and Fukaya Kamishiba Nursery School are also a major highlight.

This year, everyone will sing "MEET! For the Next Future," which was established to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the corporation's founding and its friendship agreement, deepening interaction under the motto "The world is everyone's friend."

Local restaurants will also participate, offering food stalls with multinational cuisine such as Peruvian and Italian dishes. A special stage will host intercultural exchange events with international visitors, and corners will be set up to enjoy traditional world games like Tag and Jaegeichagi. Furthermore, an art experience booth open to everyone will be available. Finally, approximately 3,000 "dream balloons" filled with flower seeds will be released into the sky.

Admission is free, and anyone can participate, not just those affiliated with nursery schools, making it an event for families of all generations to enjoy.

The children visiting Japan will have a 2-night, 3-day homestay with host families living in Fukaya City. This activity has been ongoing since the inception of the International Festival, and in recent years, the corporation has also developed a program where enrolled and graduated children can participate in similar homestays when the corporation visits Guam or Korea.

From Fukaya, we wish and promote that people from not only Japan, the US, and Korea but also from all over the world can join hands as friends living on this Earth!

Fukaya Nursery School

Dance inspired by Guam

Fukaya Nishi Nursery School

To the rhythm of Very Nice

Fukaya Fujisawa Nursery School

Dance with Ryukyu motif

Fukaya Kamishiba Nursery School

To the tune of a new era

Social Welfare Corporation Shinkokai

Opened Fukaya Nursery School, the first nursery school in Fukaya City, in 1954. Since then, with a history of over 70 years, it operates four locations in the city: Fukaya Nursery School, Fukaya Nishi Nursery School, Fukaya Fujisawa Nursery School, and Fukaya Kamishiba Nursery School. While based on Buddhist childcare (Soto Zen), it also focuses on international exchange with various countries around the world, and currently has friendship agreements with kindergartens and choirs in Guam and Korea.

Contact Us...

308 Taya, Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture, 366-0821 Fukaya Nursery School

To: Jimei Goto, General Manager

048-551-6333

or

shinkokai1954@gmail.com