Understanding Hina-matsuri (Japanese Doll Festival)
This festival, which takes place on the 3rd of March, is celebrated in order to ward off evil and promote health among the young girls of Japan. Traditionally, this event was only celebrated by the young daughters of the Imperial Family and the Japanese upper class, but gradually this festival became integrated into the celebrations of the common people. In carrying on with the tradition, Hina dolls are lovingly viewed and special sweets that can only be eaten on this day are consumed. This is a long-standing cultural event in Japan and learning more about this special festival is well worth the experience.
(About 3.5 hours)
1. Hokyoji-monzeki Temple → 13:00-14:00
Among the various convents frequented by high society, this temple is simply known as the doll temple, and is only open to visitors during fixed periods in the spring and fall. In particular, the yearly opening in March features a "Puppet Festival" in which the main building of the temple is filled with decorated Hina dolls. In addition to Hina dolls, dolls owned by the Imperial Family and life-size dolls are also on exhibit in a special puppet exhibition held at the same time.
Details
Address: 547-1 Dodo-cho Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto
Access: A short walk from city bus stop Horikawa Teranouchi
Hours 10:00-16:00
Admission: 600 yen
2. Tsuruya Yoshinobu → 14:15-15:00
The traditional desserts of this sweets shop have featured prominently at the
Kyoto Imperial Palace and famous shrines and temples around Kyoto since its inceptions roughly 200 years ago. In short, many tea ceremony sweets come from this traditional sweets shop, which is the main confectionary shop among historical institutions in Kyoto. In the shop's own tea house, you can enjoy the special ceremonial fresh sweet which is consumed only during Hina-matsuri (known as Hichi-giri) while enjoying a piping hot cup of matcha green tea.
Details
Address: Nishi-iru Horikawa Imadegawa-dori Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto
Access: 2-minute walk from city bus stop Horikawa Imadegawa
Hours: 9:00-18:00 (Tea house: 9:30-17:30)
<15-minute walk>
This is the birthplace of the
Hina-matsuri (doll festival). Although advance applications are required to enter the Imperial Palace, the imperial gardens are always open and make a very enjoyable stroll. The gardens are particularly beautiful during early spring when the peach flowers begin to bloom.
Details
Address: 3 Kyoto Gyoen Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto
Access: 5-minute walk from Imadegawa Station on the Karasuma Subway Line
This shop is owned by Keiho Ando, a famous doll maker and manufacturer of Hina dolls and Boy's festival dolls. Doll-making in Kyoto has a long tradition, and the artisans that continue to protect this legacy are to this day committed to hand-making these delicate works of art one at time. Any visitor to the shop can view this process in action but a special event will be carried out until March 31st in which participants can create traditional outfits for their own dolls as souvenirs. Visitors are encouraged to take part in this experience, starting from 30000 yen per person.
Details
Address: Aburano-koji Marutamachi agaru Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto
Access: 7-minute walk from Marutamachi Station on the Karasuma Subway Line
Hours: 9:00-18:00
