Try a Traditional Japanese Game: Tosenkyo in Kyoto! 🇯🇵
- 2026.03.11
- category staff blog
We recently added a new traditional toy to our collection — Tosenkyo, a classic and elegant Japanese fan-throwing game.
Tosenkyo is a traditional Japanese game that has been enjoyed for centuries. It was especially popular in Kyoto entertainment culture, where adults played it with geiko and maiko.
The rules are simple but surprisingly exciting.
Players throw a folding fan toward a small target called a “butterfly” placed on a box.
Points are scored depending on how the fan and the target fall after the throw. The different shapes they create have poetic names, making the game both playful and artistic.
Even just hitting the butterfly or knocking it down creates a lot of excitement!
Since this is a traditional game that is not easy to experience elsewhere, we invite you to try this unique Japanese cultural activity in Kyoto.
At AriHana Kyoto, located near Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Sanjusangendo, we offer a family-friendly indoor play space where both children and adults can enjoy traditional Japanese culture together.
Visitors from all over the world come to enjoy:
• Traditional Japanese games and toys
• Hands-on cultural experiences
• Fun activities for kids and adults
It’s a great place for:
✔ Things to do in Kyoto with kids
✔ Indoor activities in Kyoto
✔ Rainy day or hot day sightseeing in Kyoto
✔ Making special family travel memories in Japan
No reservation is required — feel free to walk in anytime.
Reservations are also available if you prefer.
Come and enjoy a fun and authentic Japanese cultural experience in Kyoto!
