Children in western Japan took part in an annual kite flying event on Sunday.
About 150 people, including children and their parents, gathered in the city of Hofu, Yamaguchi Prefecture, for the event.
The participants brought their hand-made kites adorned with images of horses, which are next year’s zodiac sign, and those of characters from popular games.
Only kites that can fly in the air for five seconds or longer qualified to advance to the design competition.
Helped by their parents, children pulled the lines of their kites in order to fly them as high as possible.
They brought their kites down and presented them in front of judges who evaluated their designs and shapes.
A sixth-grade elementary school boy said that he cared very much about colors and shapes when he designed his kite. The boy said he was relieved that he could keep his kite stable in the air.