Hina Matsuri: The Japanese Doll Festival Through My Eyes
- Binh Nguyen
- Mar 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 8
Hina Matsuri (ひな祭り), also known as the Doll Festival or Girls’ Day, is celebrated every year on March 3rd in Japan. While it’s not a national holiday, it is a special day when families display beautiful dolls to wish for the health and happiness of their daughters.
1. Hina Matsuri in My Family
One thing that surprised me was that even though my mother-in-law’s daughters are now married, she still continues the tradition of displaying Hina dolls every year. I think she still sees them as her little girls, and setting up the dolls is her way of showing love and good wishes for them. This festival is not just for young children—it is a meaningful tradition that brings families together.
2. The Art of Displaying Hina Dolls
Some families keep it simple with just one pair of dolls, representing the Emperor (天皇, Tennō) and Empress (皇后, Kōgō). Others set up multi-tiered displays that look like a small version of an ancient imperial court. I took a photo of the Hina display at home so you can see this tradition for yourself.
A full Hina doll set is arranged as follows:
Top tier: The Emperor and Empress.
Second tier: Three court ladies (三人官女, Sannin Kanjo).
Third tier: Five musicians (五人囃子, Gonin Bayashi).
Fourth tier: Two ministers (大臣, Daijin).
Fifth tier: Three attendants (三人仕丁, San'nin Shichō) serving the imperial family.
Bottom tier: Furniture, carriages, and other small decorations.
🔹 Traditional Hina Matsuri foods & decorations:
Hina-arare (ひなあられ): Colorful rice crackers.
Hishi-mochi (菱餅): Three-layered mochi (pink, white, and green).
Sakura (cherry blossoms): A beautiful symbol of spring.
3. The Story Behind Hina Matsuri
Hina Matsuri comes from two old traditions in Japan:
Hina Nagashi (雛流し): In the Heian period (794–1185), people made paper dolls and let them float down rivers to carry away bad luck.
Doll play among noble girls: Young girls from noble families played with dolls and imagined themselves as princesses.
Over time, these customs combined, and instead of sending dolls away, families started keeping them as lucky decorations for their daughters.
🔹 Something to keep in mind:Hina Matsuri is not a big public festival, but rather a quiet family tradition that helps preserve culture.
4. My Experience with Hina Matsuri at a Ryokan
While working at a Ryokan, I noticed how much effort they put into keeping traditions alive. By mid-February, my boss had already asked the staff to decorate many areas with Hina dolls, including:
The hotel lobby: Large, multi-tiered doll displays.
Reception and shared spaces: Small ceramic dolls.
Even in the kitchen: Miniature Hina dolls used as tray and dish decorations!
I’m sure that foreign guests notice these little details, just like I did when I first arrived in Japan.
5. Want to Learn More About Japanese Traditions?
If you’re interested in Japanese culture and want to explore more traditions like Hina Matsuri, I recommend the book 📖 "Japanese Traditions and Festivals."
You can support my work by purchasing it here: 👉 https://amzn.to/3QFtu63
6. Final Thoughts
Hina Matsuri is more than just a festival for girls—it’s a day for families to show love and continue cultural traditions. If you ever visit Japan during this time, think about getting a Hina doll set as a special gift for someone you care about! 🎎
You can also order Made in Japan products on Amazon here: 👉 https://amzn.to/4hXOpNT.
If you enjoyed this post, like, share, and leave a comment! Maybe on your next trip to Japan, you’ll notice and appreciate these little cultural traditions just like I did! 🌸🇯🇵
©2025 Bean JP. All Rights Reserved.
Comentarios