The 62-tier Hina decoration is a masterpiece! Okayama Prefecture's Hinamatsuri event "Bizen Katakami Hinameguri"

• Table of Contents
• What is Bizen Katakami Hinameguri?
• Usa Hachimangu Shrine stone steps Hina decoration
• Rare "palace decoration"
• Hina doll decorations inside the stone lantern
• flower hand water
• Bizen ware guardian dog
• Dolls in the shopping district
• Hina no Hanamichi
• A large collection of gorgeous dolls
• event information
• in conclusion

What is Bizen Katakami Hinameguri?

Bizen Katakami Hinameguri is a Doll's Festival event held around Katakami Shopping Street in Bizen City, and this year marks the 24th time. Hina dolls are displayed on the stone steps of shrines and on the streets of shopping streets, and the entire area is filled with Hina dolls. You can enjoy the Hina dolls, each with their own unique faces and beautiful clothes!

Usa Hachimangu Shrine stone steps Hina decoration

The biggest highlight is, of course, the Hina dolls displayed on the stone steps of Usa Hachimangu Shrine. You can see large-scale doll decorations that resemble the stone steps of a shrine. [Usa Hachimangu Shrine Stone Step Hina Decoration] Location: 1 Nishikatakami, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture Date: March 1st (Friday) to March 4th (Monday), 2024 *Cancelled in case of rain Event hours: 9:00-17:00

Please look! Hina dolls lined up on steep stone steps! It's truly amazing. There are 62 stone steps. What's even more surprising is that local people decorate it every morning and clean it up in the evening! I am grateful that the local people have put in so much effort and made it possible for us to have so much fun.

Let's look down from above. Look at this angle! It's quite steep and high.

Rare "palace decoration"

There was a palace at the top. rare! This palace is modeled after the palace where the Emperor lived during the Heian period. I saw it for the first time. Of course, this type of doll decoration, called Gotenkazari, was popular in western Japan during the Meiji and Taisho periods, and although it was revived in the mid-Showa period, it is rarely sold today. You can only see these rare dolls at the Bizen Katakami Hinameguri.

Hina doll decorations inside the stone lantern

yeah…? that? If you look closely, you'll see that there are doll decorations inside the lantern! This is one of the three court ladies.

The Minister of the Left is here! In this way, there are doll decorations even in small places, so you can enjoy it like a treasure hunt.

flower hand water

Last year, there was also a flower chozui at the chomizuya. How colorful and beautiful! The shrine was decorated with gorgeous Hina dolls, adding even more color to the shrine.

Bizen ware guardian dog

The guardian dogs at Usa Hachimangu Shrine are made of Bizen ware. It is also one of the largest in Okayama prefecture, measuring approximately 2.5m in circumference and 1.4m in height. Please be sure to admire the guardian dogs that are unique to the production area of ​​Bizen ware.

Dolls in the shopping district

Usa Hachimangu Shrine is not the only venue for Bizen Katakami Hinameguri. As you walk through the shopping district, you will see Hina dolls displayed everywhere. Inside the house on the side of the road or even on the roof!

Hina no Hanamichi

Hina dolls are lined up in rows and rows of blankets spread out on the road. This is “Hina no Hanamichi”. I have never seen Hina decorations in the middle of the road anywhere else. This is a Hina decoration that is worth visiting. Please note that this event is only held on Saturdays and Sundays. [Hina no Hanamichi] Date: March 2nd (Sat) - 3rd (Sun), 2024 *Cancelled in case of rain Event time: 10:00-16:00

A large collection of gorgeous dolls

Please look! This gorgeous group of dolls! Gorgeous Juni-Hitoe and Sokutai costumes! There is also a hanging shibina. The same goes for the Hina dolls on the stone steps and the Hina Hanamichi, but it must be really difficult to display so many Hina dolls. Even the Hina dolls that we have at home that are decorated with Imperial Princes take a lot of time to decorate. Things like tying a thin string in just the right place under the little Empress's chin, and giving her small items to hold. When I think about how much time it took to prepare, I am humbled. I'm grateful to be able to entertain you like this.

event information

During the “Bizen Katakami Hinameguri” period, there will be plenty of events on the weekend of March 2nd (Saturday) and March 3rd (Sunday), 2024! This year, there will also be events such as children's kimono dressing experience, and performances and dance performances by students. There are also food and drink booths, so if you're tired from all the walking, recharge your batteries and come back again.

[Bizen Katakami Hina Tour]

Event period: March 1st (Friday) to March 4th (Monday), 2024

Venue: Around Katakami Shopping Street, Bizen City

TEL: 090-1016-5745 (Bizen Katakami Hinameguri Executive Committee)

Access (public): Approximately 5 minutes walk from JR Nishikatakami Station Parking: Available

*Parking is limited, so please use public transportation.

Click here for details

in conclusion

What did you think. The seasonal event “Bizen Katakami Hinameguri” will be held from Friday, March 1, 2024. Even during the event period, we especially recommend the 2nd (Sat) and 3rd (Sun) when the "Hina no Hanamichi" will be set up. There are many other Hina dolls on display besides those introduced above. Please come and check it out!