Origami

Origami is the art of folding a square piece of paper and transforming it to create different shapes. Traditionally origami does not use glue or scissors but recent forms of origami might incorporate such uses.

The most well-known origami form is the crane. It is said that anyone who folds 1,000 origami cranes will be granted one wish. This belief was significant during the wartime when a little girl named Sadako was diagnosed with leukemia from the radiation during the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. She then started folding cranes, in hopes of folding 1,000 to be granted a wish, her wish to live. Inspired by Sadako's dream of peace, the tradition of folding 1,000 cranes to be granted a wish has long continued. When you visit the parks of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, you'll likely see thousands of carefully folded origami cranes in honor of Sadako's wish.

Want to learn how to fold origami for yourself? Our tour-guides are more than happy to teach you during your ride on our tour bus as we go between the highlights of Tokyo & Kyoto on our fully-guided Cherry Blossom Japan Tours or Grand Tour Packages available in the spring or year-round with Japan Deluxe Tours!