Today I’m sharing a new Japan-themed activity for kids that comes with a seasonal cultural context: Make a 3D Otsukimi display from paper.
This printable Otsukimi craft is for kids who are curious about Japan, and for Japanese and multicultural families who want to share their traditions with children growing up outside Japan.
In this post kids will learn everything about Otsukimi (Japan’s moon-viewing festival), and make a DIY paper Otsukimi display inspired by traditional decorations.
This craft includes a free printable template that you can print at home and start making handmade Otsukimi decorations with your family right away.
* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure to learn more.
What Is Otsukimi, Japan’s Moon-Viewing Festival?
Otsukimi (お月見) or Tsukimi is a Japanese autumn tradition of enjoying and admiring the moon. Families may look at the moon together and decorate with special foods and autumn plants.
In 2026, Otsukimi falls on September 25. Its date changes each year with the lunar calendar.
It is tradition to arrange a few special items as a display for Otsukimi. The items represent the harvest and people’s appreciation of the moon. Our printable Otsukimi paper display combines some of the best-known sights and symbols of Otsukimi: the moon, tsukimi dango, susuki grass, and the moon rabbit.
Tsukimi dango are round rice dumplings displayed as an offering during Otsukimi. They usually sit on a traditional raised stand called a sanbō.
Susuki, or Japanese silver grass, is a traditional autumn decoration often displayed for Otsukimi.
And the moon rabbit? In Japan, people have long imagined the shape of a rabbit in the moon. He is often pictured making mochi with a mallet — which is why our paper bunny is holding one!
If you enjoy Japanese traditions and storytelling, I’d love to share my new book, Japanese Folktales: Stories to Read and Color. It features 22 traditional folktales retold in simple language, each paired with a coloring page. More about it at the end of the post! 🐉
Make Your Own Paper Otsukimi Display
What You’ll Need*:
- This printable Otsukimi craft template
- White printer-friendly cardstock (for best results)
- Scissors
- Glue
- Optional, for folding: ruler, butter knife
*Includes Amazon affiliate links
Tip for folding: It’s easier to fold if you score first. To score, place ruler along the dashed line and press gently with the dull edge of a butter knife to make a soft crease. Alternatively, you can align a ruler along the dashed line and fold the paper over it.
Steps for assembling the tsukimi display:
Print the Otsukimi craft template on and cut out all the pieces. white cardstock works best for this 3D Tsukimi display.
Make the Bunny
- Fold the bunny piece along the dashed lines, keeping the colorful side on the outside. Put glue on the small tabs on the bunny’s head.
- Tuck the tabs between the two sides of the head, then press the sides together.
- Fold the tail upward and bend the ears slightly to the sides.
Add the Mallet
- Fold the mallet in half along the dashed line, with the colorful sides facing out.
- Glue the two sides together.
- Glue the mallet to the inside of one of the bunny’s hands.
Make the Full-moon Backdrop
- Fold the backdrop panels in toward each other along the dashed lines. The colorful side should be inside the folds.
- Stand the backdrop up and gently open the folded panels so it forms a wide, stable background.
Add the Pop-Up Vases
- Fold the pop-up strips along the dashed lines, keeping the colorful side on the outside.
- Glue a vase to the center of each strip where it says “Glue vase here.” Line up the bottom of the vase with the bottom of the strip.
- Put glue on the tabs marked “Glue” and attach the strips to the backdrop, on the spots marked “Glue strip here.”
- The folded strips will hold the vases slightly in front of the backdrop, giving your Otsukimi scene a 3D effect.
Make the Sanbō Tray
- Carefully cut along the dark solid lines to separate the glue tabs. Do not cut across the dashed fold lines.
- Fold the tray base along the dashed lines so the colorful side stays on the outside.
- Put glue on the side tab and join the sides to form the tray base.
- Take the tray top and cut slits along the dark solid lines, being careful not to cut across the dashed fold lines.
- Fold the tray top along the dashed lines, keeping the colroful side on the outside.
- Put glue on each glue tab and attach it behind the panel next to it. This will give the tray top its square shape.
- Glue the tray top on the tabs of the tray base to connect both parts.
Add the Tsukimi Dango
- Fold the tsukimi dango along the dashed lines, keeping the dashed lines on the outside.
- Put glue underneath the tsukimi dango piece and stick it inside the tray top.
Arrange Your Otsukimi Display
Place the backdrop upright and gently spread the panels until the scene is wide but stable. Set the sanbō tray with the tsukimi dango in front of the backdrop. Place the moon rabbit beside it.
Your 3D Otsukimi paper display is finished!
Once it’s standing, you have a little Japanese moon-viewing craft to display for Otsukimi. If someone asks what it is, you can tell them what you learned about the Japanese Otsukimi, tsukimi dango, susuki, and the rabbit in the moon.
Explore Japanese Culture Through Folktales
If your kids enjoyed discovering the traditions behind Otsukimi, they can continue exploring Japanese culture through its folktales.
My book Japanese Folktales: Stories to Read and Color includes 22 traditional Japanese folktales, from famous stories like Momotarō, Kaguya-hime, and Urashima Tarō to lesser-known tales like The Black Dragon of Ōnuma Pond. Each story is retold in simple language and comes with an original full-page illustration to color.
It’s a fun way for kids to get to know traditional Japanese stories, and for Japanese and multicultural families to share familiar tales with children growing up outside Japan.
► Find JAPANESE FOLKTALES: STORIES TO READ AND COLOR on Amazon
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