2024 Family Fun Day: Hinamatsuri Dolls (Come Celebrate Hinamatsuri, the Japanese Doll Festival, by Creating Your Own Hinamatsuri Doll!)NEW

Family Fun Day: Hinamatsuri Dolls. Craft activity for kids of all ages. Come celebrate Hinamatsuri, the Japanese Doll Festival, by creating your own Hinamatsuri doll!  

All Family Fun Days are FREE* with paid admission

No reservations needed

Date
March 3, 2024, Sunday

Time
12 pm - 3 pm

Location
Sakai Room

About Hinamatsuri
Hinamatsuri, also known as Doll's Day or Girls' Day, is a cherished Japanese tradition celebrated annually on March 3rd. Central to this vibrant festival are the Hinamatsuri dolls, a collection of intricately crafted dolls displayed on a tiered platform. Each doll represents members of the imperial court during the Heian period, dressed in exquisite traditional attire. Families eagerly anticipate this occasion, as it provides an opportunity to come together and honor their daughters' health and happiness.

Preparations for Hinamatsuri often involve meticulous cleaning and decorating the household with symbols of spring, such as peach blossoms and lanterns. The focal point, however, is the display of Hinamatsuri dolls, meticulously arranged on a multi-tiered stand covered with red fabric. The top tier features the Emperor and Empress, followed by courtiers, musicians, and attendants on lower tiers. These dolls are passed down through generations or lovingly acquired for each new celebration.

Family Fun Day during Hinamatsuri involves various activities centered around the dolls. Children delight in dressing up in traditional kimono attire, emulating the elegance of the imperial court. Families indulge in special treats like chirashizushi (scattered sushi) and hishimochi (diamond-shaped rice cakes), symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. Craft workshops offer opportunities to create miniature versions of Hinamatsuri dolls or craft paper lanterns, fostering creativity and bonding among family members.

As the day draws to a close, families gather around the Hinamatsuri display, offering prayers for the well-being of their daughters. It's a time for reflection on family unity and the passing down of cherished traditions. Through the celebration of Hinamatsuri, families not only honor the young girls in their lives but also strengthen the bonds that unite them across generations.