Chitose Kōyūkai's Shiga Chitose Nursery and Manmaru Chitose Sugimura Participate in Nagoya Kita-ku Community Event 'Otsukimi Dorobo 2026'

Shiga Chitose Nursery and the child development support facility Manmaru Chitose Sugimura (opened in April this year), operated by the social welfare corporation Chitose Kōyūkai (headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: Tetsushi Yamaguchi), participated in the community event 'Otsukimi Dorobo 2026' held in Nagoya Kita-ku on September 27.

'Otsukimi Dorobo' is a custom traditionally observed in parts of the Tokai region, where children dress up as 'thieves' and receive offerings. Local shops and residents have reinterpreted this custom in a modern way, developing it into an event that fosters community connections.

In 2026, approximately 70 shops and facilities participated, making it a large-scale event where local children enjoyed interacting with adults while exploring the town.

Through this participation, the children were able to familiarize themselves with local traditional culture and gain rich experiences.

For Shiga Chitose Nursery, which participated for the third time, this was an opportunity to further deepen community interaction. For Manmaru Chitose Sugimura, which opened this year and participated for the first time, it was a valuable chance to introduce the facility to the local community.

Both facilities accept nursery tours and consultations for local families with children at any time, and through this participation, they are advancing their goal of creating 'open nurseries.'

Background and Purpose

'Otsukimi Dorobo' is a unique custom traditionally observed in parts of the Tokai region, where children dress up as 'thieves' and receive offerings on the night of the harvest moon.

In Nagoya Kita-ku, a small initiative started in 2022 by 'Korokke-ya Mine' in the Osugi area, with the hope of 'creating opportunities for the town and people to meet,' has grown year by year with the cooperation of local residents and shops, becoming a community event with approximately 70 participating shops and facilities in 2026.

Chitose Kōyūkai values 'creating nurseries open to the community' and 'expanding children's experiential value.' The child development support facility Manmaru Chitose Sugimura, opened this year, and the community-rooted Shiga Chitose Nursery participated in this cultural event.

Both facilities accept nursery tours and consultations for local families with children at any time, and this participation provided an opportunity to further deepen ties with the community.

Overview of 'Otsukimi Dorobo 2026'

Date: September 27, 2026

Organizer: Volunteers from shops, facilities, and residents in the Osugi area, Nagoya Kita-ku

Number of participants: Approximately 70 shops and facilities

Content: A community event where children dress up as 'thieves' and visit participating shops and facilities to receive sweets and small gifts.

At Manmaru Chitose Sugimura and Shiga Chitose Nursery, sweets were prepared for the children, and interaction took place in front of the facilities.

Overview of Shiga Chitose Nursery and Manmaru Chitose Sugimura

Name

Address

Phone number

Shiga Chitose Nursery

1-47 Shiga Hondori, Kita-ku, Nagoya

052-981-3366

Manmaru Chitose Sugimura

1-25-9 Sugimura, Kita-ku, Nagoya (axis sakura 101)

052-916-6520

*Please feel free to contact us for facility tours or any other inquiries.

Comment from Chairman Tetsushi Yamaguchi

Local culture and customs are important learning opportunities that broaden children's 'range of experiences.'

We are very pleased that Shiga Chitose Nursery and Manmaru Chitose Sugimura participated in 'Otsukimi Dorobo' this time and had the opportunity to connect directly with the local community.

Seeing the children interact with local people with smiles reminded us of the significance of our nurseries existing as 'community anchors.'

We will continue to support the growth of each child while advancing our goal of creating nurseries open to the community.

Contact for Inquiries

Social Welfare Corporation Chitose Kōyūkai, Public Relations

TEL: 03-3222-3250

Email: honbu@chitosek.or.jp

About Social Welfare Corporation Chitose Kōyūkai

Social Welfare Corporation Chitose Kōyūkai operates licensed nurseries, certified children's gardens, child development support facilities, and other child and parenting support services in Okayama, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Aichi, Osaka, and Fukuoka.

[Corporate Overview]

Name: Social Welfare Corporation Chitose Kōyūkai

Location: 7-5 Nibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Chairman: Tetsushi Yamaguchi

Business: Operation of early childhood facilities such as licensed nurseries

Established: 1970

Website: https://www.chitosek.or.jp/

Original character of Chitose Kōyūkai: 'Chiko-chan'