A spinning top battle tournament using the Manhole Koma — an original educational toy created by Takatsuki City — is coming to Takatsuki Hankyu Square on August 1, 2026 (Saturday). The event, called "Oyako Manhole Koma Taisen" (Parent-Child Manhole Koma Battle), is free to attend and designed for parent-child teams with children between the ages of 5 and 12.
What Is the Manhole Koma?
The Manhole Koma is an original educational toy developed by Takatsuki City to nurture future interest in science and technology. As the nationwide trend of young people moving away from STEM fields continues and demand for technically skilled workers grows, young engineers at the city's Sewer and River Division came up with the idea in February 2026 (Reiwa Year 8): could they use the everyday manhole as a way to share the excitement of STEM with children?
The top consists of a customizable axis and a donut-shaped body. The body's surface is printed with illustrations of iconic spots across Takatsuki — including Settsu Gorge, Takatsuki Castle, and Ama Site Park. Two types of axes are available (pointed and round tip), and three body options made from metals of varying weights. By experimenting with different combinations, children discover firsthand how weight distribution and shaft shape affect the stability and duration of a spin — learning physics concepts through play.
Takatsuki City has previously introduced the Manhole Koma at events for families with young children, including endurance spinning competitions, as part of ongoing efforts to connect communities with the toy.
Tournament Format
The "Oyako Manhole Koma Taisen" forms teams of one child and one guardian each. Each team builds their own original spinning top using an assembly kit, then competes in a 16-team single-elimination tournament. Choosing the right combination of axis and body is a key factor in winning — turning the fun of a spinning top competition into a hands-on lesson in physics.
Event Details
Date: August 1, 2026 (Saturday)
Sessions:
- Session 1: 10:30 AM
- Session 2: 1:30 PM
- Session 3: 3:30 PM
Registration opens 30 minutes before each session.
Venue: Takatsuki Hankyu Square, 4F Event Hall (4-1 Hakubaicho, Takatsuki City)
Eligible Participants: Children aged 5 to 12 and their guardian(s)
Participation Fee: Free
Capacity: 16 teams per session (first-come, first-served)
For more details, visit the Takatsuki City official event page.
