Last updated: April 23, 2021
An adorable display of living dolls
Hina dolls dressed like Heian period (794–1185) nobles and courtiers are traditionally displayed in houses on March 3. These displays, part of the Hina Festival, are shown in prayer for the health and good fortune of the family's daughters.
While some towns organize large displays of Hina dolls, Ikaho Onsen goes a step further. Local pre-schoolers costumed like the traditional dolls are posed on the onsen town's central stairway for an hour or so on the Saturday and Sunday closest to March 3, creating a charming tableau.
76-5 Ikahomachi, Ikaho, Shibukawa ( Map)
About 25 minutes by car from Shibukawa-Ikaho IC of Kan-Etsu Expressway
March 6-7, 2021