Celebrate Hinamatsuri in Asakusa!
In Japan, there are various celebrations for children throughout the year, but in March, Hinamatsuri takes place. Hinamatsuri is celebrated on March 3rd, when dolls called Hina dolls are displayed, Hina arare rice crackers and chirashi sushi are eaten, and sweet sake is drunk, mainly to celebrate the growth of girls. At the Hinamatsuri celebration, you are basically free to wear whatever outfit you like. For the celebration, you can wear a kimono or dress up in a dress. Wear items that will make you look cute. For girls celebrating Hinamatsuri for the first time since they are born, it will be their first seasonal festival, so you will want to celebrate in a big way.
Recommended kimono for girls celebrating Hinamatsuri
Here are some recommended kimonos for girls celebrating Hinamatsuri for the first time.
Kimono-style rompers, hakama-style coveralls
The cover type has snap buttons at the crotch, so it is comfortable to wear and there is no need to worry about it coming undone. It will be useful not only for the first festival but also for the first birthday.
First festival 1 year old girl's haori set
A gorgeous kimono with a full pattern is perfect for a girl's first festival. Some mothers may think that putting on a kimono is difficult, but it can be completed in 3 steps. Even beginners can wear kimono with confidence.
Haori
There are also girls' kimonos that come with a haori coat. In the past, I think there were many children whose mothers would dress them in kimonos with woolen haori coats. They are warm and cute, aren't they?
For the first festival, why not wear traditional kimonos and have a fun time with the whole family?
This also has some useful information on kimonos for Hinamatsuri, so please take a look if you're interested.
Nagashibina
The "Nagashibina" festival is held on the Sumida River near Asakusa, to welcome the arrival of spring and to offer kind thoughts and prayers.
This is the origin of the Doll's Festival, which is celebrated all over Japan on March 3rd, and is a custom of letting go of misfortunes (bad events) into the water and praying for health and growth. Nagashibina is an ancient Japanese traditional event in which children's misfortunes are entrusted to dolls made of paper and plants, which are then floated down a river or the sea to purify them and pray for the health and safety of the children. It is said to have originated in the middle of the Heian period about 1,000 years ago, but it was only during the Muromachi period about 600 years ago that Jōshi no Sekku (the day of the snake at the beginning of March) was moved to March 3rd.
At this time of year when the coldness of the river water in early spring is gradually decreasing,
The "Nagashibina" float is a popular event that heralds the arrival of spring on the Sumida River. On the day, 1,500 general participants will participate through public recruitment, but as a special event prior to the event, children from the Taito City Ishihama Hashiba Kindergarten will perform the Nagashibina float from the "Shinsuiro Terrace" and the "Hina-kazaribune" boat.
At the same time, the mayor of Taito Ward, the chairman of the Asakusa Tourism Federation, and a woman wearing a furisode, a famous Asakusa costume, will release pigeon-shaped balloons into the air.
Address: 1-2 Hanakawado, Taito-ku, Azumabashi Waterfront Terrace and Sumida Park
Date: March 2, 2019 (estimated) Gathering time: 11:30 / Start time: 12:900 (Light rain, will proceed)
Cost: For those who wish to participate on the day, "Nagashi Hina" dolls will be sold at the venue for 800 yen each.
Access: 2 minutes on foot from Asakusa Station on the Tobu Subway Line, or 10 minutes on foot from Asakusabashi Station on the JR Sobu Line
Konosu Surprise Doll's Festival
Doll making in Konosu City is said to have a history of about 380 years, and is still passed down to the present day as a valuable local industry in Konosu.
This year marks the 14th time the event has been held, and its aims are to widely promote Konosu as the "hometown of Hina dolls" in the historic town of Konosu Hina Dolls, to have all residents enjoy the Doll's Festival, and to welcome many tourists from outside the city to brighten up and energize the town.
As the name suggests, the event will amaze visitors with the tallest pyramid decorated with Hina dolls in Japan (31 steps, 7m high) set up at the Elmi Konosu Shopping Mall! There will be five satellite venues set up, and Hina dolls will be displayed on street corners as well. There will also be doll-making demonstrations, live performances by artists, taiko drum performances, and plenty more to see! The event will also run for a surprising period, until Sunday, March 11th!
This is a festival that you'll want to enjoy not just once, but twice or even thrice!
Date: Friday, February 16th to Sunday, March 11th, 2018
Location and access: Elmi Konosu Shopping Mall (main venue)
Directly connected to the East Exit of Konosu Station on the JR Takasaki Line Parking for 700 cars Cosmos Arena Fukiage 30-minute walk from the South Exit of Fukiage Station on the JR Takasaki Line or get off at Cosmos Arena Fukiage on the Flower Bus Fukiage Course Parking for 300 cars Kawasato Flower and Music Hall "Hanaku no Sato" Parking for 120 cars Farm produce direct sales store "Pansy House" Parking for 100 cars Industry and Tourism Center "Hina no Sato" Parking for 30 cars Fukiage Lifelong Learning Center
Sakura mochi
If you like Japanese sweets, you probably know that Domyoji sakura mochi is different from Chomeiji sakura mochi.
Chomei-ji's sakura mochi is made by wrapping salted double cherry blossom leaves around the mochi. In fact, the original shop is located about a 20-minute walk from Asakusa. On the way to the shop, you walk along the banks of the Sumida River, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot since the Edo period. Even today, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms on both banks on a round trip. It's a bit far, but I recommend walking there as part of a stroll. The shop is located at the foot of the aptly named Sakura Bridge (pedestrian only). It's a historic shop that has been in business since the Edo period. I think the sakura mochi served in a hegi was 250 yen, including tea.
Souvenirs can be purchased from 180 yen per piece. However, this is a famous shop where you often have to make a reservation during cherry blossom season to buy one. This sakura mochi is characterized by the fact that it comes with three cherry blossom leaves. It's very extravagant. Two of the leaves are for decoration (fragrance), and it is normal to peel off the other two and eat them, but if you don't have a sweet tooth, it's delicious to peel off the first and eat the other two with the sakura mochi.
It's also nice to have the third piece with tea as a palate cleanser. This is the original sakura mochi that you should try at least once.
Next door is the flagship store of the also very famous Kototoi Dango. On your way back, cross over to the opposite bank to enjoy the cherry blossoms on the other side. You can enjoy a cherry blossom stroll with the Skytree in the background.
Speaking of Hinamatsuri, plum blossoms come to mind, but March is also the season for cherry blossoms, so it would be nice to enjoy them together with the early-blooming cherry blossoms. Wearing a kimono will make Hinamatsuri even more exciting!
