Chiba Nanohana News (February 2024)

 Index

I. Festivals and Events

I. Festivals and Events

1)Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) in Chiba

Hinamatsuri, also known as the Doll Festival or Girls’ Day, is a traditional Japanese festival celebrated on March 3 every year during which families pray for the health and happiness of their young daughters. Exquisite hina dolls, called “hina-ningyo” or “o-hina-sama” in Japanese, are displayed on tiered, red-carpeted platforms as decoration before and during the festival. Clothed in historical court garment from the Heian period, these dolls represent the Emperor and Empress along with their court attendants.

1. 2024 Katsuura Big Hinamatsuri @Tomisaki Shrine and the surrounding area (Katsuura City)

Hina dolls donated by people from all over Japan are displayed within the city during the Katsuura Big Hinamatsuri. Around 1000 dolls will be displayed along Katsuura Chuo Shopping Street, around 600 at Kakuoji Temple, and many more in other locations, brightening up the streets of Katsuura with the spirit of spring.

The most spectacular sight has to be at Tomisaki Shrine, where around 1800 hina dolls sit on every single one of the 60 stone steps. Each hina doll is charming as it is, but the massive number dolls in one place is sure to take your breath away. Don’t miss out on this rare sight! After the sun sets, see the hina dolls afresh in an enchanting light with the nighttime illumination.

These hina dolls have watched over their families’ daughters’ growth and blessed with them health. Now, they make up an indispensable part of spring in Katsuura, to be adored by visitors.

• When: February 23 (Friday) to March 3 (Sunday)
• Where: Tomisaki Shrine and the area around Katsuura Chuo Shopping Street
• Access: [By train] Walk approximately 10 minutes from Katsuura station (JR Sotobo Line)
• Inquiries: Big Hinamatsuri Organizing Committee (Katsuura City Tourism & Industry Division)
  TEL: 0470-73-6641
• Katsuura City website

2. 14^th Nakayama O-hinamatsuri @Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple and other locations (Ichikawa City)

Nakayama is a popular and nostalgic temple town in Ichikawa City and home to the Nakayama O-hinamatsuri, an uplifting spring festival that decorates the town with hina dolls.
Over 70 locations in Nakayama are painstakingly decorated with hina dolls, including the impressive display in Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple and the 7-tiered platform filled with hina dolls at Shimosa Nakayama station (JR Sobu Line).

During this period, you will be able to fully enjoy the elegance of spring with events such as concerts and tea service at the temple. Rent a kimono for an unforgettable roam around the city. There is much to see, explore, and experience!

• When: February 17 (Saturday) to March 3 (Sunday)
• Where: Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple and shopping areas in Nakayama
• Access:
  [By car] Drive approximately 15 minutes from Keiyo Road Baraki IC
  OR drive approximately 15 minutes from Keiyo Road Ichikawa IC.
  [By train] Walk approximately 10 minutes from Shimosa Nakayama station (JR Sobu Line)
  OR walk approximately 5 minutes from Keisei Nakayama station (Keisei Main Line).
• Inquiries: Ichikawa City Arts and Cultural Affairs Division
  TEL: 047-712-8557

3. Bikkuri Hinamatsuri @Boso no Mura (Sakae Town, Imba District)

Over 150 hina dolls will be displayed on a platform spanning 7.2m wide!

Lined up, these donated, well-loved hina dolls are a sight to behold.

• When: February 10 (Saturday) to March 3 (Sunday)
• Where: Prefectural Museum Boso no Mura (1028 Ryukakuji, Sakae Town)
• Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
• Closed on: Mondays (If a public holiday falls on Monday, the museum will be closed on Tuesday instead.)
• Admission fee: general 300 yen; high school / university students 150 yen; free for junior high school students and younger and 65 years old and over.
• Access:
  [By car] Drive approximately 3 km along towards Narita Kaido after exiting Higashi Kanto Expressway at Narita IC, at the Tsuchiya intersection and continue straight towards Sakae for approximately 15 minutes.
  [By train] Take the bus bound for “Ryukakujidai Shako” from the West Exit of Narita Station (JR Narita Line), alight at “Ryukakujidai 2-chome” and walk approximately 10 minutes
  OR take the bus bound for “Ryukakujidai Shako” from Ajiki station (JR Narita Line), alight at “Boso no Mura” and walk 3 minutes.
• Inquiries: Boso no Mura Public Relations and Promotion Group
  TEL: 0476-95-3333
• Boso no Mura website

 

I. Festivals and Events