Kofu Children’s Support Festa (Let’s Play at the Castle!) 2026: Enjoy Fun Activities at Maizuru Castle Park

On Saturday, November 7, 2026, the Kofu Children’s Support Festa (Let’s Play at the Castle!) will be held at Maizuru Castle Park.

Set in a spacious park with open lawns, the event will offer a variety of activities where children can play freely, including sports and games as well as opportunities to climb aboard working vehicles.

The Kofu Women’s Challenge Market will also take place on the same day at the community plaza north of Kofu Kameyaza. After enjoying the activities at Maizuru Castle Park, families can visit nearby Koedo Kofu Hanakoji for dining and shopping, making it a great opportunity to spend a full day exploring central Kofu together.

What Is the Kofu Children’s Support Festa (Let’s Play at the Castle!)?

The Kofu Children’s Support Festa (Let’s Play at the Castle!) is an event organized by Kofu City to provide children with opportunities to enjoy a wide range of hands-on experiences.

The event is held in cooperation with local groups and organizations, including children’s support groups, Ventforet Oshiro Land, and the Kofu Police Station.

The venue is Maizuru Castle Park, which was developed on the former site of Kofu Castle. The event takes advantage of the park’s grassy open spaces to offer outdoor activities, including physical games and opportunities to climb aboard working vehicles that children rarely get to see up close.

Through activities that involve moving their bodies, seeing and touching new things, and making discoveries, children can learn while having fun.

Event Overview for 2026

Item	Details
Event Name	Kofu Children’s Support Festa (Let’s Play at the Castle!)
Date and Time	Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (held in light rain)
Venue	Free Plaza and South Plaza, Maizuru Castle Park
Main Activities	Sports and games, opportunities to ride in working vehicles, and more
Concurrent Events	・Kofu Women’s Challenge Market ・Ventforet Park on Tour!
Organizer	Kofu City

Event activities may be changed or canceled depending on weather conditions or other circumstances. Before visiting, please check the official Kofu City website for the latest information.

Activities at the Kofu Children’s Support Festa (Let’s Play at the Castle!)

Photo: Photo AC

The event offers opportunities to discover history and culture through castle-themed games and hands-on activities. With plenty of engaging programs for children, it’s an ideal outing for families.

Activities Requiring Advance Reservations

Some activities at Let’s Play at the Castle! have a limited number of places available, and certain programs require advance reservations. If there’s an activity your child would like to join, it’s a good idea to check the application process and availability beforehand.

Program	Eligibility	Capacity	Details
Songleader Pom-Pom Dance Experience!	Elementary school students	20 participants	Dance energetically with pom-poms! A fun activity that gets children moving.
Let’s Play with Balls	Elementary school students	20 participants	An engaging program featuring ball games that encourage children to move their bodies while having fun.
Flag Football Experience	Elementary school students	20 participants	Try flag football, a sport with limited physical contact where players work together as a team.
Exciting Hydrogen Experiment Show with Kofu Green Lab Hydrogen Ambassador Tobi-chan	Elementary school students	20 participants	An entertaining science show where children can learn about the fascinating properties and potential of hydrogen.
KOTOMIC Experience! Discover Your Hidden Potential	Elementary school students	20 participants	A program incorporating music and rhythm to encourage children’s creativity, sensitivity, and hidden abilities.
What Is Kofu Castle? The History Behind Its Construction (Kofu Castle Highlights Tour)	Elementary school students	Session 1: 11:00 AM–12:00 PM Session 2: 2:00 PM–3:00 PM 20 participants per session	A guided tour exploring the highlights of Kofu Castle while learning about its history and origins.

Detailed information about participant limits and activity schedules is available on the official Kofu City website.

Drop-In Activities Available Without Reservations

Let’s Play at the Castle! also features a wide range of booths that visitors can enjoy without advance reservations. From active games to hands-on craft activities, there are plenty of opportunities for children to participate. Some activities combine play with learning, making it a great chance for families to try something new together.

Program
Kofu Women’s Challenge Market (Concurrent Event, Community Plaza North of Kofu Kameyaza)
Start the Day with Fun! Healthy and Safe Rhythm Exercises from Yamanashi
Let’s Try Pickleball
Make an Original Handbell with High School Students!
Spinning Pinwheels
Make It Move! Create a Moving Toy with Milk Cartons
Have Fun Playing New Sports
Wooden Toy Play Area: Discover the Joy of Wood
Water Refill Station Experience and Workshop: Make Your Own One-of-a-Kind Water Bottle!
Let’s Build a Zoo Together
Kofu Green Lab on Tour
Make Your Own Reflector and Learn About Traffic Safety Through Coloring
Take a Relaxing Break at the Social Welfare Terrace!
Police Car and Police Motorcycle Ride Experience
Self-Defense Forces Vehicle Experience, Hands-On Activities, and Badge Making
Aerial Work Platform Ride Experience and Run a Model Train with Hand-Generated Electricity!
Candy Scooping (Stamp Rally)
Ventforet Park on Tour! (Concurrent Event, South Plaza of Maizuru Castle Park)
Fire Engine Ride Experience, Firefighter Uniform Try-On, and Fire Extinguishing Experience (South Plaza of Maizuru Castle Park)

How to Make Advance Reservations for the Kofu Children’s Support Festa

Here is an overview of the reservation period, participant limits, and application process for activities that require advance booking.

Reservation Period and Participant Limits

For programs requiring advance reservations, applications must be completed during the designated registration period. Each program has a limited number of available places.

Item	Details
Registration Period	Friday, October 9 – Thursday, November 5, 2026
Capacity	Varies by program (approximately 20 participants)
Eligibility	Primarily elementary school students
Participation Fee	Free

Registration closes once a program reaches capacity. If there’s an activity your child would particularly like to join, applying early during the registration period is recommended.

How to Register Through Kofu City’s Official LINE Account

Advance reservations are made through Kofu City’s official LINE account. Follow these steps to register.

First, add Kofu City’s official LINE account as a friend in the LINE app. Open the menu on the chat screen and select “Various Reservations.” Next, tap “Reservations for Other Events” and choose “Children’s Support Festa (Let’s Play at the Castle!).”

Select your preferred program and time slot, enter the participant’s information, and submit the form to complete your reservation.

Only one program can be selected per application. If you would like to participate in multiple programs, repeat the same reservation process for each one. For further event details, please visit the official Kofu City website.

Kofu Women’s Challenge Market Will Also Be Held on the Same Day

On Saturday, November 7, 2026, the “Kofu Women’s Challenge Market” will also take place at the community plaza north of Kofu Kameyaza.

This market brings together women pursuing new challenges in various fields, including parenting, business, and community activities. Families can stop by while visiting Maizuru Castle Park or enjoy shopping after participating in the children’s activities.

Starting at 1:30 PM, a special collaborative event with the “Meet and Connect with Female Role Models” program will also be held. This offers a valuable opportunity to hear directly from market vendors about their experiences. Whether you’re interested in the shops and products or considering opening a market stall or starting your own business, it’s worth stopping by.

The participating vendors are listed below.

Category	Vendors
Food	Atelier Miquitaine＆Orientaliste / Sanbon Pan / Baked Sweets Marie / Gorilla Kitchen Cooking Service
Crafts and Other Products	Open Sesame / Sunny＆Minmin / Plume coloré / Mori Lab / Yomogisawa Ikiiki Salon / acote

Reference and Source: Nadeshiko Plus – Kofu City Women’s Empowerment Support Website

Take a Break at Koedo Kofu Hanakoji Between Activities

While enjoying Let’s Play at the Castle! at Maizuru Castle Park, be sure to visit nearby Koedo Kofu Hanakoji as well.

Hanakoji is located south of Maizuru Castle Park and offers visitors a chance to experience the atmosphere of historic Kofu, once known as “Little Edo.”

With its cobblestone streets, lanterns, and traditional townhouses featuring smoked roof tiles, Hanakoji is a charming place to stroll and enjoy the atmosphere of the Edo period. It’s also an ideal spot for families to relax after children have enjoyed the day’s games and activities.

Hanakoji is home to restaurants serving dishes made with ingredients from Yamanashi Prefecture, as well as shops offering locally inspired products. Depending on your schedule, you can stop for a meal between activities, relax at a café after playing, or browse for souvenirs.

Conclusion

The Kofu Children’s Support Festa (Let’s Play at the Castle!) is an event where children can enjoy a variety of experiences, from active games to getting up close to working vehicles.

Maizuru Castle Park, the event venue, features spacious grassy areas where children can play freely outdoors.

In 2026, the event is scheduled for Saturday, November 7. The Kofu Women’s Challenge Market will also be held on the same day, making it a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy central Kofu.

Before or after the event, be sure to visit Koedo Kofu Hanakoji. After playing at Maizuru Castle Park, families can stroll through its Edo-inspired streetscape while enjoying restaurants, cafés, and shopping at a relaxed pace.

For the latest information on event hours, reservation procedures, and detailed programs, please check the official announcements from Kofu City.