Bacci Kid × Banzai Hibachi · Japan Journey

Bacci Kid Banzai Hibachi
Bacci Kid × Banzai Hibachi

Bacci’sJapan Journey

Six golden doors. Real dishes from the Banzai Hibachi menu, stories from Sensei Tsuru, a few Japanese words and a Fuji moonrise to breathe with. Scan, tap, play, together.

IIIIIIIVVVISix doors · six stamps
Bacci
Sensei Tsuru: Yōkoso, welcome! I know every story at this hibachi table. Tap a golden door.
I · The Torii Gate

Welcome, with your whole heart.

In Japan, hospitality is omotenashi: caring for a guest with your whole heart, before they even ask. It is why the chef at Banzai Hibachi cooks right in front of your table, with a bow, a flame and a smile.

Bacci: We made it! First, tell Sensei Tsuru how your table is feeling. Then take your Japan passport: six doors, six stamps, and a surprise on the last one.
How is your table feeling? Check-in
Tap the one that fits. Every feeling is welcome here.
0Lanterns
0Best
GuestTable
Today’s family quest
パスポート · MY JAPAN PASSPORT
⛩️🍣🌸🗻あ🏮
Visit every door to fill your passport.
Table talkHow can we make someone feel welcome, with our whole heart, today?
Three tapsScan. Play. Talk.
Your paceIchi-go ichi-e: this meal happens once. Start with one door, or stay for dessert.
Grown-upsThe stories belong to everyone. The ordering, and the flame, belong to the grown-ups.
Taking Banzai Hibachi home tonight?Grown-ups: carryout or delivery from Central Avenue in Hartsdale.
Order ↗
Banzai HibachiBacci Kid
Bacci Kid games are for fun and family connection, not medical, psychological or emergency advice. Under 13 plays with a grown-up. In a crisis call 911, or call or text 988.
II · Hibachi Table

Build your bento of feelings.

Every dish on the Banzai Hibachi menu carries a feeling. Tap the ones that match your day. The chef handles the flame. You handle the feelings, and every one of them is welcome at this table.

Kiku the Chrysanthemum: Pick your bento! I’ll tell you what each one means. Then start the table-talk timer and pass the phone around.
🍱
Your bento is waiting for its first feeling.
Table talk 60 seconds each
60
Table talkItadakimasu means “I humbly receive.” Who grew, caught or cooked something on this table? Thank them, even if they are far away.

Kids’ first hibachi bites

Grown-ups: easy wins from the Banzai Hibachi menu for little hands.

  • Children’s hibachi chickenunder 12, with soup or salad and fried rice
  • Children’s hibachi shrimplittle pink bites off the grill
  • Children’s hibachi steakcut small, cooked at the table
  • Edamamepop the beans out of the pod
  • California rollthe friendliest first sushi
  • Fried ice creamto finish with a smile
Order these from Banzai HibachiCarryout or delivery, grown-ups only at the checkout.
Order ↗
Bacci Kid games are for fun and family connection, not medical, psychological or emergency advice. Under 13 plays with a grown-up. In a crisis call 911, or call or text 988.
III · Sakura Garden

Sensei’s stories.

Sensei Tsuru: Sit with me under the sakura. Tap a story and I will tell it to you. Each one ends with a question for your table. Then pledge a kind act and help me with the sushi harvest.

1. Bacci Bows at the Torii Gate

Bacci was nervous. A new country, new words, and a red gate so tall it seemed to hold up the sky. He stopped at the torii, unsure what to do. A girl named Hana put her hands together and bowed. “Konnichiwa, Bacci-san.” Bacci bowed back, a little wobbly. Hana giggled and handed him a paper fan painted with Mt. Fuji. “It is hot tonight. This is for you.”

He had not asked for anything. That is omotenashi: caring for a guest before they even ask. Bacci walked through the gate, and every lantern seemed to glow a little brighter.

Who did something kind for you today, before you even asked?

2. Kiku, the Smallest Blossom

Kiku the Chrysanthemum was the smallest flower in the garden. “Everyone else is big and open,” she sighed. “I will never be a real flower.” Sensei Tsuru landed beside her on his long legs. “Look at Mt. Fuji. Even that mountain was built one small stone at a time. Try one petal.”

So Kiku opened one petal. The next morning, two. By the festival she was a golden sun of petals, the brightest flower at the gate. That is kaizen: small steps, every day, add up to something big.

What is one small step you could take today, toward something big?

3. The Crane Who Waited for Spring

One winter the pond froze and the snow fell for weeks. “Spring is never coming,” said Bacci, shivering. Sensei Tsuru stood in the cold river on one leg, still as a stone. “Gaman,” he said softly. “Patient strength. The snow does not stay forever. We stay steady while it falls.”

Bacci tucked in his paws and stood beside him. They counted snowflakes and told stories. And one morning a single sakura blossom opened on the branch above them, pink against the white. Spring had come, the way it always does.

What helps you stay steady when waiting is hard?

4. Hikari’s Thousand Lanterns

Hikari the Lantern was afraid her light was too small. “What can one little flame do?” At the festival the families carried their lanterns down to the river, and Bacci carried Hikari. One by one the lanterns floated out onto the dark water, each one small, each one glowing.

Hikari looked around. A thousand little lights had turned the whole river gold, and everyone could see the way home. “That is wa,” said Sensei Tsuru. “Harmony. One light is small. Together, we are the moon.”

When did our family make something together that one person could not make alone?

5. The Flame That Bowed

Yuki lost his favorite marble under the hibachi table, and his face went hot and red. “I am angry at everything!” he shouted. Just then the chef stacked a tower of onion rings, and a flame leapt up tall and orange. Everyone gasped. Then the flame bowed down low and became a warm, quiet glow that sizzled the rice.

Sensei Tsuru leaned close. “Ikari, anger, is like that flame. It is allowed to leap. Then it bows. Hands flat on the table. Breathe in like the flame rising. Breathe out like the flame bowing.” Yuki did it three times, and his face cooled. Then the chef, who had seen everything, slid the marble back with a wink.

What helps your flame bow when it gets big?

Omotenashi challenge Pledge a kind act
Sushi Harvest 30 second game
🍙 0⏱ 30
Tap Start, then tap every rice ball you see. Golden sushi is worth three.
Best: 0
Bacci Kid games are for fun and family connection, not medical, psychological or emergency advice. Under 13 plays with a grown-up. In a crisis call 911, or call or text 988.
IV · Fuji Moonrise

Breathe with Hikari.

Hikari the Lantern: Watch me glow over Mt. Fuji. Breathe in as my light grows big. Breathe out as it softens, like the moon slipping behind the mountain. Four slow rounds and the whole table is softer.
Table talkName one thing that felt peaceful today.
Moonrise body scan Grown-up reads it
Meditation ConsoleMore breathing and quiet games.Feelings ConsoleEvery feelings wheel and check-in.
Bacci Kid games are for fun and family connection, not medical, psychological or emergency advice. Under 13 plays with a grown-up. In a crisis call 911, or call or text 988.
V · Word Garden · Nihongo

Speak a little Japanese.

Sensei Tsuru: Tap a word to hear it. Then say it to your chef and watch their face light up. Below, my feelings dictionary: eight Japanese feelings, each with something to try.
Feelings dictionary Tap to open
喜びYorokobi · Joy

Try this: Tell the table one thing that made you smile today.

悲しみKanashimi · Sadness

Try this: Sadness is allowed at the table. Say “I feel kanashimi” and let someone sit close.

恐れOsore · Fear

Try this: Name the fear out loud. It shrinks when shared. Then breathe with Hikari.

怒りIkari · Anger

Try this: Hands flat on the table like Yuki, three slow breaths, then say what you need.

平和Heiwa · Peace

Try this: Picture Mt. Fuji at moonrise. Where in your body feels quiet?

愛Ai · Love

Try this: Tell someone at the table why you are glad they are here.

誇りHokori · Pride

Try this: Share one thing you worked hard on this week. Ganbatte!

感謝Kansha · Gratitude

Try this: Thank the chef who cooked and the person who brought you here.

Table talkSay “Itadakimasu” together before the first bite, and “Gochisōsama” when you are done.
Bacci Kid games are for fun and family connection, not medical, psychological or emergency advice. Under 13 plays with a grown-up. In a crisis call 911, or call or text 988.
VI · Matsuri

Banzai!

Matsuri is a Japanese festival: lanterns, drums, dancing in a slow circle, and everyone shouting together with their arms up three times: Banzai! It means “ten thousand years” of good luck and joy.

Sensei Tsuru: At a summer festival, families hang fūrin, little glass wind chimes, and tie wishes to bamboo for Tanabata. Tap to ring your chime against mine. The chime that keeps ringing grants the wish, and the other one turns into a wish tree for the whole table.
🎐🎐
You vs Sensei. Ready?
Sensei’s spin: a tiny dare for the whole table.
Bon odoriEveryone claps on the beat, then dance in a slow circle around the table.
Kanpai! with waterRaise your water and say Kanpai! to someone who did well today.
Chopstick practicePick up one grain of rice with chopsticks. Then teach the trick to a grown-up.
Table talkWhat makes you feel yorokobi, full of joy?
More Bacci table games Free
Kids Feelings GameLittle hands, big smiles.Teen HubBrave talk for big kids.Museum PortalsWonder rooms to explore.Printables StudioFree pages to color and keep.Feelings ConsoleWheels and check-ins.Meditation ConsoleQuiet games to breathe.
Bacci Kid games are for fun and family connection, not medical, psychological or emergency advice. Under 13 plays with a grown-up. In a crisis call 911, or call or text 988.
Bacci Kid · Japan Collection

Take Japan home.

Bacci: Loved our trip? Keep the Japan magic going at home, chopsticks and all. Grown-ups make the purchases.
🥢
Chopstick Challenge Table KitPrintable table challenges for little chopstick hands
$3.33Get it
🎓
Chopstick Academy Practice PackStep-by-step practice pages, from first grip to one grain of rice
$5.55Get it
🗻
Japan Digital VacationThe full trip, passport and printables
$5.55Get it
🍱
Hibachi Manners & Culture SetJapanese words, table manners, recipes to color
$33.33Get it
🎁
Trip + Chopsticks BundleVacation plus both chopstick packs. Best value
$55.55Get it
👑
Japan Journey All-AccessEverything, plus bonus stories and the feelings dictionary cards
$99.99Get it
Grown-ups make the purchases. Every door on this page stays free: Bacci Kid’s mission is free, kind, positive things for kids everywhere.
Created by Dr. Jamie J. Karia, DSW, LCSW
Dr. J signature
Bacci Kid games are for fun and family connection, not medical, psychological or emergency advice. Under 13 plays with a grown-up. In a crisis call 911, or call or text 988.