This is me about 7 years ago, in Aomori. My uncle caught and dried these octopuses (octopi?).
Did you know that “tako（たこ）” in Japanese means both “octopus” AND “kite”?
Octopus coloring pages HERE and HERE.
Japanese kite coloring page HERE.
HERE are instructions for a very simple kite you can make with your children.
If you are REALLY ambitious and crafty, you can try making a “real” kite by following the instructions HERE (by Windlove.net).
Here’s what a Kite Festival（たこあげたいかい） looks like in Japan:
Wow – that’s such a cheeky photo… I just can’t work out if that’s a smile or grimace. Ah – I’ve never been to Aomori, even though it’s only a hop skip and jump from Hokkaido. Must be yummy food as well.
Ha. It’s definitely a cross between “cool!” and “gross!”