Hinamatsuri (雛祭り)🎎✨

At Tomo, we don’t just teach the Japanese language—we also introduce and share Japanese culture.✨

Today, I’d like to introduce Hinamatsuri (雛祭り), a traditional celebration in Japan.☺️

Also known as the Doll Festival, Hinamatsuri is held on March 3rd to pray for the happiness and healthy growth of girls.👧 Families with daughters decorate their homes with Hina dolls (雛人形) and display symbolic items such as Amazake (sweet white sake), Hishimochi (diamond-shaped rice cakes), and peach blossoms.🌷✨In Japan, Amazake has long been enjoyed as a drink symbolizing longevity and protection from misfortune. The colors of Hishimochi each have a special meaning. Green represents health and longevity, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and pink serves as protection against evil. Peach blossoms bloom during this season and are believed to have protective powers against misfortune.

This festival is a way to celebrate girls’ growth while also appreciating another year of health and happiness.✨💓

One of the main customs of Hinamatsuri is the display of Hina dolls. ✨These beautifully crafted dolls are not only placed in homes but also showcased at shrines and town festivals across Japan as March approaches. 🥰Traditionally, a full set consists of 15 dolls arranged on 7 tiers, but some grand displays feature up to 30 tiers with hundreds of dolls! Each region and era has its own unique style, making it fascinating to see the different faces, colors, and designs. Even traditions evolve—during the COVID-19 pandemic, some Hina dolls were even seen wearing masks, showing how customs can creatively adapt over time! I found them super cute and photogenic.👍✨

If you’re interested in experiencing this beautiful tradition, here are some great Hinamatsuri events in the Kanto area you might want to check out!