The only Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Festival) exhibition in Japan

 Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Festival) is celebrated each year on March 3rd. And this is an occasion to pray for young girls’ growth and happiness. Most families with girls display dolls for the Doll’s Festival called Hina-ningyo.

It is decorated with a splendid Seven-tiered Hina doll set. These dolls describe the life of ancient imperial court.

From the top row, The Emperor and Empress, three court ladies, the minister of right and the minister of left,  five musicians, three servants. 

As you know, the Great Hanshin earthquake caused the severe damages in Osaka and Kobe area in 1995.

“Our houses were destroyed by the earthquake. What should we handle with the Hina dolls that had been watching our kids grow up? Could you please hold a memorial service for dolls at a temple?”

This Hina Doll Exhibition all started when they consulted the temple about the treatment of the Hina dolls. 

Then they had brought their Hina dolls to the temple. There are about 500 Hina dolls on display that reflect the times, namely, Edo period（1603～1868）, Meiji (1868～1912), Taisho (1912～1926), Showa(1926～1989) and Heisei（1989～2019）.

This is the main Hall of  Saikyo-ji temple where many Hina dolls are displayed for a memorial service, located in Otsu city, Shiga prefecture.

Various Hina doll exhibitions are held all over Japan around this time of the year, but this exhibition is the only one that is consisted of the dolls brought for memorial services. This exhibition is open until March 10th.