Happy Hina Matsuri! This early spring holiday is one of my favorites in Japan, probably due to the fact that I have my own daughter, for whom we long ago purchased our family's very first set of Hina dolls. Five years later, we now own a few small sets (I told you, I really like this... Continue Reading →
Friday Photo: February 2016
Oh my goodness, this month has been crazy. February might be the shortest month of the year, but it sure has been the busiest! I'm sorry for the lack of posts lately, but I hope to remedy that in March. February is the lead-up month to Hina Matsuri on March 3rd. If you've followed this... Continue Reading →
Celebrate: Hina Matsuri (Girls’ Day) – Part 2
Ahhh, Girls' Day. The older my daughter gets, the more I love this holiday. And truth be told, the longer she's in school, the more cultural tidbits I get to pick up as well. In last year's post, I wrote mostly about the tradition of putting up Hina Dolls in one's house (but only if... Continue Reading →
Experience: Yanagawa Doll Festival
Hina Matsuri (Girls' Day) may officially be over, but the displays in some locations will be up until the end of the month. One city in Japan that decorates for the Doll Festival in a big way is Yanagawa, a canal city at the very southern edge of Fukuoka Prefecture. Beginning around mid-February, many shops,... Continue Reading →