Hinamatsuri, occurring every 3 March, literally translates to ‘Dolls Festival.’ Also known as ‘Girls’ Day,’ it is a special day for families to celebrate their young daughters, praying for their success and happiness.
Platforms covered with a red carpet-material are used to display a set of ornamental dolls representing the Emperor, Empress, attendants, and musicians in traditional court dress of the Heian period. Families normally ensure that girls have a set of the two main dolls before their first Hinamatsuri. The dolls are usually fairly expensive and may be handed down from older generations as heirlooms.
Traditional dishes like ‘chirashi sushi’ and ‘hamaguri clam in a clear soup’ are also eaten by the family, while rice cakes called ‘hishi-mochi’ are offered to the dolls.
Click here to see our full experiences calendar for 2021, complete with traditional celebrations and international events.
