Naoki Aikawa 
The hina doll display at the Elumi Konosu Shopping Mall in Konosu City on February 19. (©Sankei by Naoki Aikawa)
このページを 日本語 で読む
Japan's tallest pyramid-style hina doll display is now open to the public in Saitama Prefecture until March 8. Hina dolls are ornamental figures used to celebrate Hinamatsuri (Girls' Day) every year on March 3.
The display is part of an event called Konosu Bikkuri Hina Matsuri — with bikkuri meaning "surprise" — at the Elumi Konosu Shopping Mall in Konosu City.
Konosu's Doll-Making Heritage
The towering 31-tier hina platform stands about 7 meters tall and showcases 1,605 hina dolls. These dolls were gathered from across the country through public submissions. First held in 2005, this year marks the festival's 21st edition. The event aims to promote Konosu, a city known for its doll-making tradition, and boost local tourism.
The day before the opening, around 60 to 70 people, including volunteers, worked together to set up the impressive display. Ai Odajima from the Konosu City Tourism Association shared, "Each hina doll holds precious memories from those who sent them. We hope visitors can feel the heartfelt sentiments behind each one."
Miyu Ikeda, a resident of Konosu City, visited the festival with her one-month-old daughter, Sayo. Smiling as she looked forward to celebrating her daughter's first Hinamatsuri, she said, "It's my first time seeing this. It was even more overwhelming than I imagined."
RELATED:
- There's More to the Daruma Than Meets the Eye
- Handmade Snake Daruma for a Peaceful New Year
- Shohei Ohtani Stars in New Children's Day Doll Lineup
Author: Naoki Aikawa, The Sankei Shimbun
このページを 日本語 で読む
