The Doll's Festival

Hello★

Do you know what day tomorrow in Japan??

Tomorrow will be "The doll's festival"!!

There are many Japanese dolls in Otaru now.

Because we are having a event named "Otaru Hina Meguri" (Tour dolls).

Lots of shops, restaurant museum...etc display Japanese dolls.

I'll give you information about "The doll's festival".

We call "The doll's festival" as "Hina-Matsuri" in Japanese.

The origin of "Hina-Marsuri" ascend to about 1,000 years ago.

Making dolls by Origami (the Japanese art of folding paper into attractive shapes.) was popular among peeress and children in those days and theu floated these dolls to hte waters making a wish for children's peace and health in the beginning of March.

This story triggered the birth of "Hina-Matsuri".

About 500～600　years ago, the date March 3rd has been established as "Hina-Matsuri" day and "Girl's Festival dolls" become common.

"Hina-Matsuri" was only in tokyo's custom about 400 years ago but 150 years ago, it spread to the whole country.

This event "Otaru Hina Meguri" in Otaru have stareted since 2008.

Local people in Otaru hope that we can tell our traditional culture and local lofe with "Hina-Matsuri".

In Canal Plaza