[25th Tono Machiya Doll's Festival] A thorough guide to fully enjoy it!

History of “Hinamatsuri”

First, before introducing "Tono Machiya Doll's Festival," let's take a look at Japan's Doll's Festival.

Japan's Doll's Festival is a festival held on March 3rd every year during Peach Festival, and is a fun annual event to celebrate the birth of a baby girl and wish for her healthy growth. This traditional festival has its origins in customs that came to Japan from ancient China.

In ancient China, days when the moon and day had the same odd numbers were abhorred, and various events were held on those days to exorcise evil spirits. Influenced by this, Japan not only held rituals to ward off evil spirits on March 3rd, but also became associated with children's play with dolls. It was established as ``Hina Matsuri'' in the Edo period and continues to this day.

During the Heian period, there was a game called ``Hina Asobi,'' which was played by the children of aristocrats. This game was combined with ``nagashi hina'' (nagashi hina), where paper dolls are floated down the river to ward off bad luck, and this is said to be the origin of the current Doll's Festival.

In addition, Doll's Festival is a custom that has been introduced to China, and in ancient China, on the first Snake day in March, people held the ``Kamimi no Sekku'' to purify their bodies with water and exorcise bad luck. It is said that this custom was introduced to Japan and that the original form of the Doll's Festival was born when it was combined with Japanese dolls (Hitogata).

During the Edo period, Hina dolls gradually became more luxurious. However, it became too luxurious and at one point was subject to regulations. By the middle of the Edo period, Hina dolls came to be loved by the common people, and various styles of Hina dolls were created. After the end of the Edo period, it became a tiered decoration like the one we see today.

History of Tono's Doll's Festival

Tono is an ancient castle town that was ruled for approximately 240 years by the Tono Nanbu clan, a branch of the Nanbu family of the Morioka domain during the Edo period. As a commercial hub, markets were held regularly to sell local specialties and crafts, and Hina dolls were also an important trade item. For this reason, many valuable Hina dolls from the Edo period remain in Tono, such as ``Kyoho Hina'' and ``Kokin Hina''. Tono also had many seasonal festivals and events, and these traditional events enriched the culture of the castle town. "Tono Machiya Doll's Festival" is an important event that conveys the culture of the region to this day.

At Tono's Hina Matsuri, there is a tradition of displaying May dolls, various dolls, and works of art such as folding screens and brocades along with hina dolls. This custom is meant to be enjoyed before May, when people are busy with farming and other activities, and also to ward off bad things like falling ill at a time when people tend to get sick due to the change of seasons.

As a record of this event, there is an article left in the ``Kamihei Shimpo,'' which reported on events in the Tono area. This article, published on April 5, 1913 (Taisho 2), which corresponds to March 1 in the lunar calendar, describes how a ``Hinaichi (doll market)'' and ``Hina Matsuri'' were held. I am.

Hinaichi has been held in Tono since the end of the Edo period, and became popular during the Meiji and Taisho periods. At Hinaichi, dolls from Kyoto, local ``Tsukubagyu dolls,'' and nearby ``Hanamaki dolls'' were sold, and dolls from Kyoto were especially popular, and their value as antiques was valued above that of new ones. It seems that the Hinaichi market was often held on the 1st or 6th day of the lunar calendar, but especially on the day closest to the 1st day of the lunar calendar.

The Hina Festival began on the 1st, and the Kamikei Shimpo reports that it was like a small art exhibition, with a doll's platform set up in the back room of the house and nishiki-e (colored woodblock prints) hung on the walls. On the second day, doll sweets are made, and on the third day, the children dressed up go around the neighborhood saying, ``Hina dolls, please show us!'' and sweets and food are served at each home. I did.

This custom of Hinami was introduced as a matter of course in newspapers more than 100 years ago, which suggests that it has continued since the Meiji era. Furthermore, although it is not the Doll's Festival itself, Tono Monogatari Shūi also mentions the related event called Kamakoyaki and the food that was eaten at that time. This year's "Tono Machiya Doll's Festival" is an event that revives these traditions.

25th Tono Machiya Doll’s Festival

Easy to enjoy “Hinamatsuri One Coin Tono Tour”

During the "Tono Machiya Doll's Festival" period, Tono hometown sightseeing guides who are full of love for their hometown will help you make fun memories of your trip. There will be tourist guides wearing red jumpers, so please feel free to ask.

We will also be holding a ``One Coin Tour'' which requires no reservation and can be used for just 500 yen. Departure times are twice a day at 10:30 and 1:30 p.m. The course will vary depending on the guide and the customer's wishes, but the tour will start from Tono Station, visit several restaurants, and return to Tono Station. As soon as participants gather, we will start walking around the town. Anyone can participate as long as you complete the registration at "Tabi no Kura Tono (Tono City Tourism Association)" before departure time. We accept applications until the last minute, so please feel free to join us.

[Period] February 22, 2024 (Thursday) to March 5, 2024 (Tuesday)
[Departure time] 10:30・13:30
[Time required] Approximately 1 and a half hours [Departure location] Tabinokura Tono (Tono City Tourism Association, in front of Tono Station)
[Price] 500 yen (OK from 1 person)
[Capacity] First 10 people each time

Hinamatsuri One Coin Tono Tour

Simultaneous events

There are many events held at the same time during the period.

Winter special exhibition “Tono Hina Dolls” (Tono City Museum)

The Tono City Museum exhibits Tono hina dolls from its collection that have been passed down from the Edo period to the Meiji and Taisho periods. We will also introduce the history of Tono's Doll's Festival in an easy-to-understand manner.

"Gallery Talk" by curators of Tono City Museum ⇒Date and time: March 1st 13:30-14:00

[Period] February 9th (Friday) to March 5th (Tuesday), 2020 *Closed: March 4th (Monday)
[Opening hours] 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Admission accepted until 4:30 p.m.)
[Admission fee] 310 yen for adults, 160 yen for high school students and younger [Venue] Tono City Museum (3-9 Higashitate-cho, Tono City, Iwate Prefecture 028-0515)
[Inquiries] TEL: 0198-62-2340・FAX: 0198-62-5758

Reiwa 5th Winter Special Exhibition Tono Hina Dolls

Tono City Museum

028-0515 3-9 Higashitatecho, Tono City, Iwate Prefecture

This is a museum where you can learn about the culture and history of Tono City. The world of Tono Monogatari, the old life of Tono, prayers...

Hotels near Tono City Museum

Aeria Tohno

Iwate Prefecture > Tono

4.0 /5

Very Good

29 reviews

$72～

40th Tono Folk Tale Festival

A quaint folk tale that begins with, "Once upon a time, there was nothing..."
Please take your time to listen to live folk tales told by storytellers.

[Date] February 24th (Sat) - 25th (Sun), 2024
[Venue] Aeria Tonon Junior High Hall [Time] 10:30-15:30

[Admission fee] 500 yen each day (free for high school students and under) *Affordable tickets that allow common admission to Tono City Museum and Tono Monogatari Hall will be sold at the venue on the day.

40th Tono Folk Tale Festival

49th Tono Citizen's Stage: Tono Monogatari Fantasy "Ukotori no Fuchi"

The 49th Tono Citizen's Stage, Tono Monogatari Fantasy will be held. This time's performance is the play ``Ukotori no Fuchi,'' which is based on the 35th episode of Tono Monogatari Shui.

[Performance schedule]
① Saturday, February 24, 2024 18:30 start (doors open: 17:30)
②February 25, 2024 (Sunday) 10:30 start (doors open: 9:30)
③Sunday, February 25, 2024 14:30 start (doors open: 13:30)

[Location] Tono Civic Center Large Hall [Admission fee] General 1,300 yen (1,500 yen on the day), free for high school students and younger (admission ticket required) *Admission tickets will be distributed at the play guide.
[Play Guide] Topia, Tono Kaze no Oka, Meganebashi Direct Sales Shop, Tono Civic Center, Miyamori Hall, Tono City District Centers, Tono City Educational and Cultural Promotion Foundation

[Sponsor] Tono Monogatari Fantasy Production Committee [Co-sponsor] Tono City, Tono City Board of Education, Tono City Educational and Cultural Promotion Foundation [Inquiries] Tono City Educational and Cultural Promotion Foundation [Telephone] 0198- 62-6191

49th Citizen's Stage Tono Monogatari Fantasy "Ukotori no Fuchi"

“Kyoho Hina, Tono and Hanamaki Clay Dolls Exhibition” (Kuranomichi Gallery)

[Date and time] February 22nd - March 3rd 9:00 - 16:00
[Location] 4-28 Chuo-dori, Tono City, Iwate Prefecture, 028-0523
[Telephone] 0198-62-2680

Tonokura no Michi Gallery

"Doll's Festival Tea Ceremony" Sansai-ryu Ran Sencha Ceremony (Tono City Hall Main Building)

There is also a ``Sencha Seki'' where you can enjoy Sencha and Japanese sweets, a chair seat, and a Sencha experience where you can make your own tea using a teapot.

[Date and time] February 25th 10:00-15:00
[Price] 400 yen per seat [Location] 9-1 Chuo-dori, Tono City, 028-0592 [Telephone] 0198-62-2111 (main)

Tono City

"Children's Book Forest Tono Hinamatsuri" (Children's Book Forest Tono Ichinokura)

Let's enjoy reading aloud by the children's staff and making Hina decorations with your child♪

[Date and time] February 24, 2024 (Sat) 10:00-11:00
[Location] Children's Book Forest Tono Community Activities Room [Target] Preschool children and their guardians [Capacity] First 20 people [Participation fee] Free

To participate in the event, you must apply in advance.
How to apply: Please apply by phone, email, or using the reservation form on our website.

Click here for the reservation form

"Children's Haiku Contest Award Ceremony" Ichinichi Shopping District Promotion Cooperative Association (Children's Book Forest Tono Ichinokura)
[Date and time] March 2nd 10:00~

“Hinamatsuri Concert” Tono Boys and Girls Choir (Children’s Book Forest Tono Ichinokura)
[Date and time] March 2nd 14:00~
[Location] 1-16 Chuo-dori, Tono City, Iwate Prefecture 028-0523 [Telephone] 0198-63-3003

Children's Book Forest Tono

“Hina Meguri in Kimono” Kimono Enjoyment Party

Gather on the 1st floor of Tono City Hall in kimono.

[Meeting place] Tono City Hall Main Building [Meeting date and time] March 3rd 13:00
[Venue] 9-1 Chuo-dori, Tono City, 028-0592 [Telephone] 0198-62-2111 (Representative)

Tono City