Yamagata is dyed with Hina! Introducing Hina dolls from all over Yamagata, from ancient Hina to Kyoto Hina and hanging Hina!

March is the month of Japan, and it's the time for Hinamatsuri, an annual festival to pray for the healthy growth of girls. In Yamagata Prefecture, old houses throughout the prefecture display Hina dolls for a month, from around March 3rd on the modern calendar until April 3rd on the lunar calendar

In each region, Hina dolls that have been passed down for generations are exhibited at various facilities and stations, called Hina Corridors, so that the public can see them

You can also get a glimpse into the historical background of the Hina dolls, such as the ancient Hina dolls that were brought over through trade, and the fact that male and female dolls are placed on the left and right due to cultural differences

In this article, we will introduce how the entire Yamagata prefecture is beautifully colored with Hina dolls

We will also introduce details such as the release date, so please read to the end

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A wedding on a Kitamae ship? Kyoto Hina Dolls and Kyoho Hina Dolls

The elegant face and the lustrous, luxurious kimono are in an astonishing state of preservation, and visitors are expressing their admiration, saying, "Wow, it's beautiful!"

Sakata was a place where trade with Edo, Kyoto, Osaka, and other cities was active, and many historic Hina dolls that were brought there by Kitamae ships remain .

Sakata's old families have carefully passed down their extravagant and beautiful Hina dolls, which are displayed in storehouses and tatami rooms so that local residents and tourists can see them

The Homma Museum in Sakata has been holding the Hinamatsuri since 1948, and exhibits precious Hina dolls such as Kyoho Hina dolls

Although it is in the same city of Sakata, a magnificent number of dolls, including Hina dolls displayed in the living room of the former Abe family home a little further away, and clay dolls that have been passed down for generations, are on display to welcome visitors who come to view the festival

Sakata City Hina Doll Festival <Information>

• Location: Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Event dates: Late February to early April
• Official URL: Yamagata Prefecture Official Tourism Site – Yamagata Hina Doll Tour ~Sakata Edition~

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Does the position of the male and female dolls differ depending on the region?

In the Kansai region, where the influence of imperial court culture remains strong, the male doll is displayed on the right side

In contrast to this, in the Kanto region, Emperor Showa stood to the right of the Empress, so it is said that the male dolls were also displayed on the left side

The dolls' faces are made with a variety of expressions depending on the head maker from each region, and there seem to be some subtle differences in the tiered displays, but we will refrain from explaining them here

In Yamagata Prefecture, there are many places where Hina dolls from both the Kansai and Kanto regions are displayed, so another way to enjoy the display is to look around and try to find the different parts!

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Other Hinamatsuri information in Yamagata Prefecture

It seems that Hinamatsuri is held all over Yamagata Prefecture, but we will introduce four of the most popular locations

Information about the Hinamatsuri festival in Yamagata City

It seems that a Hina Corridor-like event is being held where you can enjoy walking around the city and looking at the Hina dolls displayed in various places around the city, including Beni no Kura in Yamagata City

INFORMATION

• Organizers: Downtown Vibrancy Promotion Committee (Yamagata City Urban Development Corporation) 023-631-0831
  Yamagata City (Yamagata Brand Promotion Division) 023-641-1212 (ext. 409)
  Nanokamachi Shopping District Promotion Association 023-631-6368
• Co-hosted by: Yamagata City Central Shopping District Development Council
• For inquiries, please contact Yamagata City Urban Development Corporation at 023-631-0831

GOOGLE MAP

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Information about Kahoku Town's Hinamatsuri Festival

In Yachi, Kahoku Town, elegant period dolls such as Kyoho-bina, Jirozaemon-bina, Kokin-bina, and Gosho-ningyo, which have been passed down from generation to generation through the safflower trade, still remain in old houses in the town, testifying to the prosperity of the time

Yachi in Kahoku Town is said to be the birthplace of the Michinoku Hinamatsuri , and every year the Yachi Hinamatsuri is held in April, a month later than usual, with the entire district participating.

Festival), which had been postponed due to COVID-19 countermeasures, has been scheduled to be held for the first time in four years on Saturday, April 1st and Sunday, April 2nd, 2023. A "Hina Market" will be set up on the town's north exit street, and precious Hina dolls will be on public display, mainly on Hina Market Street.

INFORMATION

• Location: Yachi, Kahoku Town, Yamagata Prefecture
• Business hours: 9:00-16:00 (some areas open until 17:00)
• Price: Adults 300 yen and up (varies depending on venue)
• Access: On April 1st and 2nd, a free shuttle bus will run from Sakuranbo Higashine Station and the town parking lot
• Event dates: Saturday, April 1st and Sunday, April 2nd, 2023
• For inquiries, please contact the Yachi Hinamatsuri Executive Committee (Kahoku Town Tourism Association)
• Phone number: 0237-72-3787 Fax number: 0237-73-3500

GOOGLE MAP

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Information about the Hinamatsuri festival in Kaminoyama City

Hina dolls from each era, from the Edo period to the present day, will be exhibited within Kaminoyama Castle

The exhibition, set in the unique atmosphere of a castle, is a perfect match for the Hina dolls that have been carefully passed down through the ages and is sure to be a sight to behold

It seems that the workshop will be held at the same time, so if you are interested, it is best to check in advance

INFORMATION

• Address: 3-7 Motojouchi, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Business hours: 9:00-16:45 (last entry)
• Closed: Every Thursday
• Admission fee: Adults 420 yen, High school and university students 370 yen, Elementary and junior high school students 50 yen
• Event period: March 3rd to April 2nd, 2023
• Contact: Kaminoyama Castle Local History Museum
• Phone number: 023-673-3660

GOOGLE MAP

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Information on Tendo's Hina Doll Decorations

The Tendo Hina Doll display includes dolls that have been carefully handed down, such as Kokin Hina dolls dressed in gorgeous costumes, Kyoho Hina dolls, and Yusoku Hina dolls

The "Tendo Hina Doll Decorations" event will also be held at the same time in collaboration with exhibition facilities and restaurants in the city, so you can enjoy touring the city

INFORMATION

• Address: 2-4-8 Itsukamachi, Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Closed: Every Monday
• Admission fee: Adults 220 yen, High school students 110 yen, Elementary and middle school students free
• For inquiries, please contact: Tendo Oda no Sato History Museum
• Phone number: 023-653-0631

GOOGLE MAP

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summary

We have given a quick introduction to Yamagata's Hinamatsuri, but there are still many other areas and facilities where you can see precious Hina dolls, including ancient Hina dolls that have been passed down since the Edo period

The hanging Kasafuku (hanging dolls) that fill the entire venue and the Kyoto Hina dolls that have been brought all the way from Kyoto (Kansai) are rare sights, so why not take this opportunity to go and see them, which only happens once a year?

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