Hida Ichi no Miya Hina Doll Festival

Hida Ichi no Miya
63rd Hina Matsuri Festival
w/ Hyoka Anime!





What is it?

Every year in March, beautiful arrays of ornamental dolls can be seen in various places a custom which has its roots back in the Heian period of Japan.

Formerly, people believed the dolls possessed the power to contain bad spirits and at one time these dolls would be sent afloat down the river, supposedly taking troubles or bad spirits with them.

Normally known in English as the "Hina Doll Festival" or "Girls' Day", it normally takes place on the 3rd of March however, because the Takayama area is colder than most parts of southern Japan, the festival is always delayed by one month!

Outside of Takayama City, in the small town of "Ichi no Miya" sightseers will be able to see these dolls for themselves and if you happen to be a fan of Takayama's own "Hyoka" anime series, you will be glad to hear that various themed events will be taking place.


When is it?

3rd of April 2014 (All Day)


Where is it?

Hida Ichi no Miya, Garyuu Park

You can access this park via train from Takayama station by getting off at Hida Ichi no Miya Station. You should then take the back exit by using the overpass bridge and you will see the park on your right hand side.

Hida Live Dolls Festival

Hida Live Dolls Festival

Single women selected from all over Hida render service at a Shinto shrine,
attired in costumes of the Empress, consort, ministers, and court ladies.
The parade of Live Dolls, as it winds through the village, looks as if it were right out of a picture scroll of the Heian period. Rice cakes are scattered at the end of the festival.









Date & Place
2nd March 2011 (Sat)
Place: 13:00-14:00 Private Old Houses Area.
14:40 - 15:10 Hida Folk Village

3rd March 2011
10:00 to 16:00 Hida Ichino-miya Suimu shrine.
(10min from J-Hoppers by train)

Doll Festival for girls.

It's becoming more and more like Spring.

Do you know　Japanese festival called "Hina Matsuri"?

Hinamatsuri occurs on March 3 and is an occasion to pray for young girls' growth and happiness. Most homes with girls display dolls for the Doll's Festival and dedicate to them peach blossoms, rice cake cubes, special colored and diamond-shaped rice cakes, white sake, and other items.
The origin of hinamatsuri is an ancient Chinese practice in which the sin of the body and misfortune are transferred to a doll and washed away by setting the doll in a river to drift away. When this practice spread to Japan, it was linked to girl's playing with dolls and, in the Edo Period(1603-1867), was developed into the hinamatsuri.


In Takayama, the doll(Hina) festival is celebrated one month later then the traditional Doll's Day.
We celebrate the doll festival on the 3th of April.

Approximately one month before the festival day, traditional dolls are displayed at various locations in the city.

One of place which dispray the dolls is Hida Folk Village.
At the Maeda house, dolls are displayed at the Engawa.
"Engawa" is a narrow wooden passageway [deck] (along the edge of a house facing the garden).
You can sit back and get comfy with irori fireplace.




Date: 1st March- 3rd April.
Place: Various locations throughout the city, including tourist facilities and historic houses.
*Some of place need entry fee.