The 62-tiered Hina doll display is a highlight! Okayama Prefecture's Hinamatsuri event "Bizen Hina Meguri"

• Table of contents
• What is Bizen Katagami Hinameguri?
• Hina dolls on the stone steps of Usa Hachiman Shrine
• A rare "palace decoration"
• Hina dolls also displayed inside stone lanterns
• Flower water basin
• Bizen Pottery ware guardian dogs
• Hina dolls in the shopping district
• Hinamatsuri Flower Path
• A gorgeous collection of Hina dolls
• Event Information
• Conclusion

What is Bizen Katagami Hinameguri?

Bizen Hina Meguri is a Hinamatsuri event held around the Katakami shopping arcade in Bizen City, and this year marks its 24th anniversary. Hina dolls are displayed on the stone steps of the shrine and along the roads of the shopping arcade, and the entire area is filled with Hina dolls. You can enjoy the Hina dolls, each with their own unique face and each dressed in a different, beautiful outfit!

Hina dolls on the stone steps of Usa Hachiman Shrine

The highlight of the festival is undoubtedly the Hina dolls displayed on the stone steps of Usa Hachimangu Shrine. You can see the large-scale Hina dolls display, which are modeled after the stone steps of the shrine. [Usa Hachimangu Shrine Stone Steps Hina Doll Display] Location: Nishikatakami 1, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture Date: March 1st (Fri) - 4th (Mon), 2024 *Cancelled in case of rain Opening hours: 9:00 - 17:00

Just take a look! The Hina dolls lined up on the steep stone steps are truly a sight to behold. There are 62 stone steps. What's even more amazing is that the locals decorate them every morning and take them down in the evening! We are grateful to the locals for all their hard work and for allowing us to enjoy this wonderful event.

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

A rare "palace decoration"

At the very top was a palace. Unusual! This palace is modeled after the palace where the emperor lived during the Heian period. It was the first time I had seen one. And that's because this type of Hina doll display, 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. Bizen Bizen Hinameguri is the only place where you can see such rare Hina dolls.

Hina dolls also displayed inside stone lanterns

Hmm...? What? If you look closely, you'll see that there is a Hina doll decoration inside the lantern! This is one of the three court ladies.

Here is the Minister of the Left! As you can see, there are Hina dolls even in small places, so you can enjoy it like a treasure hunt.

Flower water basin

Last year, there was also a flower water basin at the chozuya. How colorful and beautiful! It added even more color to the shrine, which was already decorated with gorgeous Hina dolls.

Bizen Pottery ware guardian dogs

The guardian lion statues at Usa Hachiman Shrine are made of Bizen Pottery. They are among the largest in Okayama Prefecture, measuring approximately 2.5 meters in circumference and 1.4 meters in height. Be sure to enjoy these lion statues, unique to the Bizen Pottery production area.

Hina dolls in the shopping district

The Bizen Katagami Hinamatsuri is not just held at Usa Hachimangu Shrine. As you walk through the shopping district, you will see Hina dolls displayed everywhere. Inside houses along the road and even on their roofs!

Hinamatsuri Flower Path

A felt mat is laid out on the road, and the Hina dolls are lined up in a procession. This is the "Ohina no Hanamichi." I have never seen Hina dolls displayed in the middle of a road anywhere else. It is a Hina doll display worth going to see. Please note that this is only held on weekends. [Ohina no Hanamichi] Date: March 2nd (Sat) - 3rd (Sun), 2024 *Cancelled in case of rain Hours: 10:00 - 16:00

A gorgeous collection of Hina dolls

Just look! This gorgeous group of Hina dolls! They're all wearing dazzling twelve-layered ceremonial kimonos and sokutai attire! There are even hanging Hina dolls. It must be incredibly difficult to display this many Hina dolls, including the Hina dolls on the stone steps and the Hina Hanamichi. Even the Emperor and Empress set of Hina dolls in my home takes a very long time to display. Tying the thin string in just the right place under the little Emperor's chin, or giving him small accessories to hold... When I think about how much preparation time must have gone into it, I'm in awe. I'm grateful to be able to enjoy this kind of thing.

Event Information

During the Bizen Hinamatsuri Festival, there will be a ton of events on the weekends of March 2nd (Sat) and 3rd (Sun), 2024! This year, there will be events such as children's kimono dressing experiences, performances and dances by students, and more. There will also be food and drink booths, so if you get tired from all the walking, why not recharge your energy and come back for more?

[Bizen Hinamatsuri]

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

Location: Around Katakami Shopping Street in Bizen City

TEL: 090-1016-5745 (Bizen Hinamatsuri Executive Committee)

Public transport access: 5 minutes on foot from JR Nishikatakami Station Parking: Available

*Parking is limited, so please use public transportation.

Learn more

Conclusion

What did you think? The seasonal event "Bizen Hina Meguri" will be held from Friday, March 1, 2024. Even during the event period, we especially recommend the 2nd (Saturday) and 3rd (Sunday), when the "Hina Hanamichi" (Dolls' Flower Path) will be set up. In addition to the ones we introduced, there are many other Hina dolls on display. Be sure to come and check it out!