{"id":67675,"date":"2025-12-22T11:36:55","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T02:36:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/portal.hokuryu.info\/?p=67675"},"modified":"2025-12-23T10:17:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T01:17:00","slug":"%e3%81%bf%e3%82%93%e3%81%aa%e3%81%ae%e5%ba%83%e5%a0%b4%e3%80%8c%e3%81%8a%e3%82%80%e3%81%99%e3%81%b3%e3%80%8d%e3%82%af%e3%83%aa%e3%82%b9%e3%83%9e%e3%82%b9%e3%83%91%e3%83%bc%e3%83%86%e3%82%a3%e3%83%bc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/portal.hokuryu.info\/en\/67675\/","title":{"rendered":"Everyone's Square "Omusubi" Christmas Party \ud83c\udf84 100 Smiles and a Giant Cake! A Handmade Love Story"},"content":{"rendered":"

Monday, December 22, 2025<\/p>\n

On Saturday, December 20th, as the cold wind blew through Hokuryu Town, the smiles and cheers of "delicious" from over 100 people echoed throughout the town. The "Minna no Hiroba Omusubi" Christmas party was a series of surprises and emotions, with handmade decorations, freshly fried churros, and a giant surprise cake that stunned the crowd. We present to you a heartwarming winter story that will fill your heart and your stomach, filled with the love and effort of the local people.<\/div>\n

Everyone's Square "Omusubi" Christmas Party \ud83c\udf84 100 Smiles and a Giant Cake! A Handmade Love Story<\/h2>\n

Outside the window was a snow-covered landscape. However, the moment we opened the doors to the venue, we were greeted by a sweet aroma and the warmth of smiles, like the spring sunshine. On Saturday, December 20th, the "Everyone's Square Rice Ball Christmas Party" was held at the Hokuryu Town Senior Citizens Welfare Center. Over 100 townspeople gathered. This year, in addition to the fun of "playing," the venue was filled with the joy of "eating" and the warmth of "making."<\/p>\n

This event is jointly held by the Hokuryu Town Social Welfare Council, the Children's and Living Support Division, and the Childcare Support Center.<\/p>\n

reception<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/a>
The reception staff<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A<\/a>
A warm, handmade board to welcome everyone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Freshly handmade items set on each table<\/h3>\n

There were lots of things prepared, including cute boards with the group name, handmade name stickers from the group members (participants), origami Christmas decorations, coloring paper for ornaments to stick on the giant Christmas tree, bingo game paper, colored pencils, scissors, wet tissues, paper cake plates, forks, and more.<\/p>\n

\"There<\/a>
There are many handmade items on each table!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Handmade decorations and the warm hands of those who support them<\/h3>\n

The party began with an introduction of the staff and helpers who had supported the day behind the scenes. Looking around the venue, the walls were covered in decorations and a variety of adorable accessories. All of these were handmade, one by one, by the staff and many others, all of whom had thought of the happy faces of the children.<\/p>\n

\"Moderator:<\/a>
Moderator: Abe Masami, Director (Social Welfare Council) Introducing the people who helped out!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\""Thanks<\/a>
"Thanks for your help!"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The smiling staff greet you with a "Welcome!", while the slightly embarrassed Gorilla appears. Just being there warms your heart, as it is filled with the passionate desire to "make someone happy."<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
A gorilla welcomes you! (Masami Abe, Aki Shiraishi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Divided<\/a>
Divided into individual tables...<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Enthusiastic Kendama and fun games<\/h3>\n

Kendama performance<\/h4>\n

Techniques demonstrated included candle, medium plate, small plate, large plate, Moshikame, baseball, and mawashi tomeken.<\/p>\n

The excitement in the venue rose immediately with an impressive performance by the opening group, the Kendama Club. The adults also gave a round of applause to the children who performed their tricks with serious expressions on their faces.<\/p>\n

\"Kendama<\/a>
Kendama Performance Part 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Treasure Hunt Adventure<\/h4>\n

Next was the "Welfare Center Treasure Hunt," where children embarked on a great adventure, searching for handmade origami (5 types) hidden throughout the building (hall, lobby, and library). Cheerful voices of "Found it!" echoed through the hallway. The group that found all 5 types of origami received a big bag as a gift!<\/p>\n

\"Treasure<\/a>
Treasure hunt (five types of origami)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"I<\/a>
I found origami!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Get<\/a>
Get a present!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"We<\/a>
We also got presents!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Addicted to coloring Christmas tree ornaments<\/h4>\n
\"Love<\/a>
Love the ornament coloring and cutting!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"After<\/a>
After coloring, try cutting!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Let's all decorate the Christmas tree!<\/h4>\n
\"Lots<\/a>
We decorated the huge tree with lots of handmade ornaments!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Candy fishing game<\/h4>\n

A blue sheet is spread on the stage, and colorful handmade fish and vegetables swim on it, which are then pulled up with a fishing rod equipped with a magnet. The color names of the candy boxes (yellow, green, orange) are written on the back. Each candy box contains three flavors of potato chips (seaweed salt, consomm\u00e9, salt)!!! Go for your favorite potato chip flavor!<\/p>\n

\"I<\/a>
I wonder what I caught???<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"What<\/a>
What color is written on the back of the fish?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The gift boxes come in three different potato chip flavors (salt, seaweed salt, and consomm\u00e9) for each color!!!<\/p>\n

\"Did<\/a>
Did you catch your favorite potato chip flavor?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bingo game<\/h4>\n

Each person writes a random number between 1 and 24 on their bingo card. Check the numbers that are read out loud and if they line up perfectly, you get bingo! Those who get bingo get to choose their favorite candy and get it! Everyone is excited to see what kind of candy they'll win!<\/p>\n

\"Bingo<\/a>
Bingo game paper on which each person writes random numbers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Bingo<\/a>
Bingo game prizes: sweets! Choose your favorite sweets!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A<\/a>
A long line of people who got bingo!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kendama Performance Part 2: Advanced<\/h4>\n

Skills include flying on an airplane, traveling around the world, traveling around Europe, and downspiking.<\/p>\n

The final finale is a down spike!
\nThe two were in perfect sync and synchronized!!! The audience erupted in applause!<\/p>\n

*Down spike (Tenchuusha) is a technique in which a ball is thrown up and the hole in the tip of the sword is aligned with the hole in the ball as it falls, stopping it.<\/p>\n

\"Kendama<\/a>
Kendama performance part 2!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

"We want you to eat them freshly fried" - the love poured into these 120 churros<\/h3>\n

As lunchtime approached, an indescribable aroma began to fill the air around the venue.<\/p>\n

Yumiko Takebayashi, the owner of Rich Kobo, was working hard in the kitchen. "I want everyone to eat something warm and delicious." With that single thought in mind, she continued to fry an astounding 120 churros on the spot.<\/p>\n

The golden fried churros are sprinkled with Kurosengoku kinako, a specialty of Hokuryu Town. Crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, one bite and the aroma of the kinako fills your mouth, along with the warmth of Takebayashi's motherly love.<\/p>\n

It was a happy sight, with children and adults alike smiling as they stuffed their faces with the treats.<\/p>\n

\"Yumiko<\/a>
Yumiko Takebayashi continues to fry 120 churros!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Churros<\/a>
Churros sprinkled with Kurosengoku soybean flour!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
The whole cake distributed to each table was cut into eight pieces...<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The venue erupted in excitement! A huge surprise cake from Daikokuya Confectionery (Imoseushicho)<\/h3>\n

It was a fun time for dinner. A whole strawberry cake from Seiko Mart was brought to each table, filling the venue with a sweet atmosphere.<\/p>\n

However, the real surprise was yet to come. "What's that?!" "Amazing! It's huge!" A murmur and cheers erupted in the venue.<\/p>\n

What appeared was a gigantic, special Christmas cake for 100 people, the likes of which had never been seen before! This was a special surprise created by Daikokuya Confectionery, a confectionery shop that Hokuryu Town is proud of, for this occasion.<\/p>\n

Two whole cakes sit on top of a large square cake base, creating a big Christmas cake covered in bright red strawberries and pure white, snow-like fresh cream!<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
An impressive giant cake for 100 people!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An overwhelming presence and beauty that will catch the eyes of 100 people.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
A touching moment with a surprise cake!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sight of the children gathering around the cake with sparkling eyes is like being in a dream. "We all share and eat the same thing."<\/p>\n

In that simple act, there was magic in deepening the bonds (omusubi) of the community.<\/p>\n

A group photo with the giant tree that everyone decorated in the background<\/h3>\n
\"A<\/a>
A group photo of all 100 people!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Winter in Hokuryu Town is so warm<\/h3>\n

Handmade decorations, freshly fried churros, and a huge cake everyone gathered around... I'm sure the children will remember more than just the fun memories of this day.<\/p>\n

A definite memory of love: "Someone did their best for me."<\/p>\n

The winters in Hokuryu are harsh, but the people's hearts are endlessly warm and sweet. May this warmth be a ray of light that will illuminate the future of our children.<\/p>\n

\"Merry<\/a>
Merry Christmas!!!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We will be putting our boundless love, gratitude and prayers into this heartfelt Christmas party at "Everyone's Square Omusubi," which we will all create together with love!<\/p>\n

\"We<\/a>
We all put a lot of love into this giant handmade Christmas tree that we decorated together!!!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

YouTube videos(Thumbnails are taken from Gemini3)<\/font><\/h2>\n