• Top
  • Blog
    • Culture
    • Food
    • Hidden Gems
    • History
    • Nature
  • Events
  • Tours
    • OIRAN experience
    • Sacred Sake Tasting
    • Walking tour: Old Port Town Niigata
    • Sushi Making Master-Class
    • Japanese Pub Hopping Tour
    • Handcraft a unique Japanese wind-chime
    • Japanese Sake Tasting Lecture
    • Niigata Tourism Ambassadors
  • About Niigata
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • 025-365-1250

EDGE OF NIIGATA

  • Top
  • Blog
    • Culture
    • Food
    • Hidden Gems
    • History
    • Nature
  • Events
  • Tours
    • OIRAN experience
    • Sacred Sake Tasting
    • Walking tour: Old Port Town Niigata
    • Sushi Making Master-Class
    • Japanese Pub Hopping Tour
    • Handcraft a unique Japanese wind-chime
    • Japanese Sake Tasting Lecture
    • Niigata Tourism Ambassadors
  • About Niigata
  • About us
  • Contact us
EN / JP / TW
JP/TW
EDGE OF NIIGATA
  • Top
  • Blog
    • Culture
    • Food
    • Hidden Gems
    • History
    • Nature
  • Events
  • Tours
    • OIRAN experience
    • Sacred Sake Tasting
    • Walking tour: Old Port Town Niigata
    • Sushi Making Master-Class
    • Japanese Pub Hopping Tour
    • Handcraft a unique Japanese wind-chime
    • Japanese Sake Tasting Lecture
    • Niigata Tourism Ambassadors
  • About Niigata
  • About us
  • Contact us
EN / JP / TW
JP/TW

Blog

TOP > Blog > Culture > HINAMATSURI: the first spring celebration

HINAMATSURI: the first spring celebration

2021.03.03
Culture Food

By Jerry A.


https://niigata-kankou.or.jp/event/13001

Hinamatsuri or Doll Festival is an occasion to celebrate the growth and happiness of young girls. Every year it is held on March 3rd. Families with daughters decorate their homes with intricate doll (hina-ningyo) displays. It is believed that this custom, like many others, came from China. Ancient Chinese would make special dolls to ward off evil by transferring sin from body to the doll.

The hina-ningyo depict the imperial court.

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9B%9B%E7%A5%AD%E3%82%8A#/media/%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%82%A4%E3%83%AB:Hina_matsuri_display.jpg

At the top of the display is the Emperor (odairi-sama) and the Empress (ohina-sama). Next, come the three court ladies(sannin-kanjo). On the third level five court musicians(gonin-bayashi) play their instruments. On the fourth are two ministers sadaijin on the left and udaijin on the right. The last level has three servants(sannin-jougo).

However, these days, some families use customized displays, that mirror the members of their family and include only dolls for the parents and the daughters.

As always special day mean special food!

https://uf-polywrap.link/articles/JPSTR

Hinamtsuri is a spring holiday. The food eaten on this day is meant to reflect that. Colorful and pink themed dishes are very common.

Traditional choices for Hinamtsuri include chirashi-zushi (rice, topped with raw fish, seaweed, and vegetables), clam soup, sweet white sake (shirozake), rice cake cubes (hina arare) and diamond-shaped rice cakes (hishimochi).

Niigata local customs

Murakami city, located in the northern part of Niigata Prefecture, is known for its castle and Doll Festival. There are unique Hina dolls and samurai dolls that each family passes down through generations. Each doll carries with it the memories and wishes of the house.

https://niigata-kankou.or.jp/event/13001

“Castle Town Murakami Machiya Doll Tour” is held in the area called Old Trademen Town. You can visit stores, such as Machiya (a traditional townhouse), and shops while strolling around the town. It is also a very valuable opportunity to see the inside of Murakami Town, which is usually difficult to enter.

https://niigata-kankou.or.jp/event/13001

Approximately 4,000 “dolls” from Edo to Heisei period (1603 – 2019) are displayed. The exhibition spans approximately 80 participating stores.

This year, the dolls festival in Murakami city will be held from 1st of March to the 3rd of April. It is definitely worth a visit!
If you want more information, contact us below and we’ll help you out!


Jerry A.

Twitter Facebook
[Previous post]
Exploring Tokamachi: Kimono
Exploring Tokamachi: Kimono
[Next post]
Setsubun: First time in 124 years!
Setsubun: First time in 124 years!
HINAMATSURI: the first spring celebration
Follow

Related entry

  • A Touch of Copper from Tsubame
    A Touch of Copper from Tsubame
    2023.03.01
  • From Nails to Knives – Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata
    From Nails to Knives – Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata
    2023.03.01
  • Niigata City: Living it up like a merchant from yesteryear
    Niigata City: Living it up like a merchant from yesteryear
    2023.03.01
  • 6 Niigata Sento You Have To Soak In (While You Still Can)
    6 Niigata Sento You Have To Soak In (While You Still Can)
    2023.02.17
  • Mesmerising Myoko: The beauty of the four seasons
    Mesmerising Myoko: The beauty of the four seasons
    2023.02.11

Access ranking

  • Exploring Myoko: Autumn

    Nature 2023.02.09
  • A Touch of Copper from Tsubame

    Hidden Gems 2023.03.01
  • Niitsu, Then and Now: A Peek into Niigata’s Countryside

    Hidden Gems 2023.03.09
  • Mesmerising Myoko: The beauty of the four seasons

    Nature 2023.02.11
  • Niigata City: Living it up like a merchant from yesteryear

    History 2023.03.01

New entry

  • Niitsu, Then and Now: A Peek into Niigata’s Countryside

    Hidden Gems 2023.03.09
  • Eating Your Way Around Tsubame-Sanjo

    Food 2023.03.01
  • A Touch of Copper from Tsubame

    Hidden Gems 2023.03.01
  • From Nails to Knives – Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata

    Hidden Gems 2023.03.01
  • Niigata City: Living it up like a merchant from yesteryear

    History 2023.03.01

Category

  • Culture
  • Food
  • Hidden Gems
  • History
  • Nature

Contact

Telephone

TEL025-365-1250
FAX025-228-4885

Business time 9:00~17:40 Japan time
Excluding weekends and holidays

Web

Contact us
EDGE OF NIIGATA
Blog
  • Culture
  • Food
  • Hidden Gems
  • History
  • Nature
Tour
  • OIRAN experience
  • Sacred Sake Tasting
  • Walking tour: Old Port Town Niigata
  • Sushi Making Master-Class
  • Japanese Pub Hopping Tour
About Niigata
  • Information
  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
© 2019 ATAGO CORPORATION