What a JEEPilicious Wednesday!

May 13, 2026

Some Wednesdays are easy to forget. You go to class, check your phone during breaks, think about deadlines, and wait for the day to end. But May 13, 2026 felt different the moment the celebration started. The campus became louder, brighter, and full of energy as students came together to celebrate Kodomo No Hi, Japan’s Children’s Day.

And honestly, “JEEPilicious Wednesday” ended up being the perfect name for it. The event was led by the Ajisai Team of the JEEP Organization together with the dearest hosts, Mama Lyza and Papa August. Since they acted as the “parents” of the event, it’s easy to guess that the local and international students naturally became the children. Everyone embraced it right away as laughter, cheering, and playful chaos filled the venue.

The fun started with KOI Aogu, where teams had to fan the paper koi across the course using paper plates. It sounded easy at first, but once the game began, everyone became surprisingly competitive. Students shouted directions, teammates panicked whenever their koi drifted away, and the crowd burst into laughter every time a paper fish completely ignored where it was supposed to go.

In the end, kingKOI claimed the win. Honestly, with a name like that, it almost felt expected from the very beginning.

But the highlight of the day was definitely the mochi making.

Students gathered around excitedly as they learned the traditional Japanese practice of mochi pounding. The moment the wooden mallets came down, the area filled with chants of “Yoisho! Hai yoi yoi!” as everyone tried to follow the rhythm together. Some students missed the timing, others laughed too hard to swing properly, and a few almost lost control of the mallet completely. Still, that was what made the activity so memorable. Nobody cared about being perfect. Everyone was simply having fun.
More than just games and activities, the event also became a meaningful cultural exchange. Students learned how Kodomo No Hi celebrates the happiness, growth, and future of children in Japan.
As someone familiar with the tradition, Rei, a Japanese student, said the event became especially memorable because it was her first time trying mochi pounding herself. Meanwhile, Kiara shared that the celebration reminded her of her childhood in Japan and made her miss the simple joy of being a kid.

To end the celebration, everyone gathered in front of the admin building to take pictures beside the colorful Koi Nobori. These carp-shaped streamers are traditionally displayed during Kodomo No Hi in Japan and symbolizes strength, courage, and perseverance. As the event came to an end, one thing became clear: nobody was thinking about stress, deadlines, or responsibilities anymore.

It became a reminder that no matter how old people get, there will always be joy in feeling like a child again.