This page is a translation. The event is run in Japanese, and the application forms are currently available in Japanese only.
A child laughing while throwing a ball in the gym
Everyone is welcome!

A play space for every child in the Miono school district MINOKKO
ASOBIBA

A place where children take the lead and play as much as they like. Kids from every grade come together, and adults watch over them from a gentle distance. Taking part is free.

▶ Next event info What is this place?
Concept

What is
Minokko Asobiba?

Four things we care about

A place where children of the Miono school district gather freely across grade levels
and find their own way to play and get absorbed in it.
Adults do not hand out answers — they trust the children and watch over them.

Initiative

Children lead the play

"What shall we play today?" — the children decide for themselves. Play starts from wanting to do it.

Community

All ages together

Little ones and older kids play side by side — teaching, copying, and building bonds naturally.

A first step

Getting absorbed

Feeling safe is what makes trying possible. "That was fun!" becomes the spark for the next step.

Children first

Trust and watch over

Adults hold back instead of stepping in too soon. The children are always the stars.

News & Topics

News from Minokko Asobiba

What we would like to share with you right now

2026.09.29Event

Minokko Asobiba on Sunday 18 October — applications now open

We meet on Sunday 18 October, 9:50–12:00 (reception 9:40–9:50), at Kohoku Junior High School (gym and grounds). It is open to children living in the Miono school district. Ball games, badminton, tag and lots more — and this time there is a mini sports day too. Taking part is free, and you may come and go as you like.

[Applying] Online applications close on Sunday 11 October. Paper forms should be handed to your class teacher by Monday 12 October.
[What to bring] A drink and indoor shoes (both required), a towel, and a name badge for guardians. You are welcome to bring play equipment to share.
* Children in year 3 and below need a guardian with them; younger siblings are welcome. Please do not come by car.

📄 See the flyer and details
2026.09.18Please support us

Online voting for the Okayama Collaborative Community-Building Award has started

Online voting for the 11th Okayama Collaborative Community-Building Award, run by Okayama City, is now open. Minokko Hagukumi-tai’s entry, “Active-play event Minokko Asobiba”, is number 10 on the voting screen. Anyone can vote until 5 pm on Friday 30 October. We would be grateful for your vote!

[How to vote] On the voting screen you must choose two different entries (choosing only one, or the same entry twice, makes the vote invalid). One vote per person. You will be asked for your name, e-mail address and a message of support.

[Panel exhibition] The “Okayama Collaborative Community-Building Exhibition”, which introduces all the entries on display panels, tours five venues in the city from 18 September 2026. Information on the online vote is also available at each venue.
• Fri 18 Sep – Thu 24 Sep (until about 3 pm): Okayama Station East Exit underground plaza (Ekichika Hiroba／岡山駅東口地下通路広場)
• Fri 25 Sep (evening) – Mon 5 Oct (early afternoon): Minami Ward Office (南区役所), 1F Citizens’ Hall
• Mon 5 Oct (evening) – Wed 14 Oct (early afternoon): Naka Ward Office (中区役所), 1F
• Thu 15 Oct – Fri 16 Oct (until 4 pm): Okayama City Hall main building (岡山市役所本庁舎), 1F Citizens’ Hall
• Mon 19 Oct (late morning) – Fri 30 Oct (early afternoon): Higashi Ward Office (東区役所), 1F

🗳 Vote now (Okayama City voting form) 📄 Award information page (Okayama City)
2026.08.31Please support us

We have entered the Okayama Collaborative Community-Building Award

Minokko Hagukumi-tai has entered the 11th Okayama Collaborative Community-Building Award, run by Okayama City. From mid-September through October there will be online voting on the city site “Tsunagaru Kyodo Hiroba”, and the results are reflected in the judging. We would be grateful for your vote for Minokko Asobiba. We will post the link here as soon as the voting page opens.

🗳 Official award page (Okayama City)
2026.08.18Notice

Our official website is now online

We have made this website so that more people can learn about what Minokko Asobiba does. We will keep adding event information and reports from our activities little by little.

Our Vision

The vision for the Miono district

A diagram comparing a child's growth to a single tree (the diagram itself is in Japanese)

A diagram comparing a child's growth to a tree: early childhood = roots, primary school years = trunk, teenage years = branches, adulthood and later years = blossom and renewal
04Adulthood & later years | Blossom, fall, renewEnjoying sport for life
03Teenage years | Branches spreadBuilding skill and social ability through sport (youth clubs, school teams, circles)
02Primary school years | The trunk grows strongGrowing through daily active play that feels fun and good
01Early childhood | Roots take holdGrowing through play in parks, in nature and at community children's centres
Play Menu

So many ways to play

Ball games, badminton, tag and more — everyone decides together what to play that day
There is “free play time” and “play together time”

Children playing ball games in the gym

Ball games

Basketball, dodgeball, baseball and more — on a wide field and in the gym.

A parent and child enjoying badminton in the gym

Badminton

Rally with racket and shuttle. We also play “balloon badminton”, gentle enough for small children and grown-ups to enjoy together.

Children playing tag in the schoolyard

Tag

Run, escape, catch. Kids of every grade running wild together.

Children playing long-rope skipping in the schoolyard

Jump rope

On your own, or as a group with a long rope. Nothing beats the smile the moment you land it.

Playing boccia in the gym

Boccia

A Paralympic sport where you roll balls at a target. Anyone can be the star.

NEWChildren playing Mölkky (a target-throwing game) in the gym

And much more

Bring your own equipment and ideas, and we play together.

Next Event

The next event

Taking part is free, and you may arrive or leave at any time during the event

📅 Sunday 18 October, 9:50–12:00 (reception from 9:40) / Kohoku Junior High School (gym & grounds) — a mini sports day too!
Minokko Asobiba flyer for 18 October (front)
Flyer (front)
Minokko Asobiba flyer for 18 October (back: date, what to bring, application form)
Flyer (back) / date, what to bring, application form
✏️ Online applications close Sun 11 Oct / paper forms by Mon 12 Oct (hand to your class teacher)
🙌 Volunteer to help on the day
About Us

We are Minokko Hagukumi-tai

A volunteer team of parents who want children to grow up healthy and happy

A member of Minokko Hagukumi-tai
The leader of Minokko Hagukumi-tai
A member of Minokko Hagukumi-tai
A member of Minokko Hagukumi-tai
A member of Minokko Hagukumi-tai

Supporting every child's wish to play.

Minokko Asobiba is a community event held as a project of the Miono Elementary School PTA. The working team inside the PTA, Minokko Hagukumi-tai, plans and runs it, with the support of local schools, community organisations and businesses.

We hold the event four times a year, borrowing the grounds and gyms of Miono Elementary School and Kohoku Junior High School. Everything is run by volunteers, and taking part is free.

4×a year
Freeto take part
PTArun as a PTA project
Hosted by Miono Elementary School PTA (Minokko Hagukumi-tai)
Supported by Miono Elementary School, Kohoku Junior High School, Miono District Council of Social Welfare, Miono School District Sports Association and
✉️ Join Minokko Hagukumi-tai (enquiry & application form)

Volunteers wanted to watch over the little ones on the day

On Sunday 18 October we are looking for people to play with and watch over the little ones in the kids space. Helping at just the events that suit you is perfectly fine.

Who can help: older brothers and sisters at primary, junior high, high school or university, grandparents — everyone is welcome.
▶ Apply as a volunteer
Children high-fiving each other during an event in the gym

Come on — let's all play!

Look forward to the next one. Bring your friends and come and play.