Kojima Hina Doll Tour is an event where visitors tour hina dolls displayed at tourist attractions, public facilities, shops, and other locations throughout Kojima.
This was the writer’s first time taking part in a hina doll tour.
When it comes to the Kojima Hina Doll Tour, the hina dolls displayed in a grand hall with a floor area of 100 tatami mats are famous.
I had wanted to visit for a long time, so this time I decided to explore the area around Kojima Station.
The weather was lovely and warm, so I set off by train.
The information provided is accurate as of when this article was published in April 2023. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the Kojima Hina Doll Tour?
The Kojima Hina Doll Tour was held at various locations in Kojima from Saturday, February 25 to Sunday, March 12.
The event was divided into five main areas, A–E, with hina dolls showcasing the distinctive character of each community displayed throughout.
- A: Ajino Shopping Street “Kojima Jeans Street” and the area in front of Kojima Station
- B: Jeans Museum area
- C: Shimotsui and Washuzan Hill area
- D: Karakoto and tatami edging area
- E: Canvas area
Events and workshops were also held alongside the exhibitions.
It seems that workshops are held every year.
If you’re making the trip, you’d want to take part in an event too.
Next year, I’d also like to try making a wreath or hina doll decorations.
Kojima Station
I had been looking forward to the hina doll tour so much.
As I eagerly anticipated seeing the lovely hina dolls, I arrived at Kojima Station in no time.
As I got off the train and walked down the platform stairs, I was greeted by adorable hina dolls right away.
It was a hina doll display on the stairs.
The stairs leading up to the platform inside the ticket gates had been turned into a tiered display for hina dolls.
The unexpected, adorable welcome brought a natural smile to my face.
Looking closely, I realized they were made of stone!
Apparently, they were made from stones collected from the riverbank.
The hina dolls’ cute faces, painted in lovely colors, warmed my heart.
I was excited to see what other hina dolls I would encounter.
With a spring in my step, I left through the ticket gates.
Kojima Civic Exchange Center
My first stop was the Kojima Civic Exchange Center.
The Kojima Civic Exchange Center has an Exchange Building and a Library and Hall Building.
The hina dolls are displayed in the Exchange Building.
The Exchange Building is a distinctive structure with a dome-shaped roof.
It was designed to resemble a drum bridge and is said to be quite rare in Japan.
Inside the Exchange Building, I found many hina dolls on display.
Twenty-four local companies and five schools created hina dolls that reflect their individual characteristics.
The variety was remarkable, ranging from familiar traditional hina dolls to modern designs I had never seen before.
Outfits made from canvas.
Outfits made from denim fabric.
Hina dolls wearing school uniforms.
Betty Smith's Betty-chan has also been made into a hina doll.
There are also dolls whose costumes are made from textiles used in Kojima's signature industries, such as tatami edging and Sanada cords.
Works that feel unique to Kojima, the “town of textiles,” can be found everywhere.
There are many hina dolls that can only be seen here, and you never tire of looking at them.
There was also a hina doll face-in-hole panel.
Children are sure to love it.
Some local kindergarten children happened to be visiting, and they were smiling as they poked their faces through the panel.
Beside the panel, a line of children waited, saying, “Is it my turn yet?”
It looks like both adults and children can have a fun time.
Kojimakko Kindergarten Exhibition
I heard that works by children from four public kindergartens in Kojima were on display on the second floor, so I went to take a look.
When I entered the gallery, I saw many seasonal drawings and crafts, including sweet potato digging, Setsubun, and hina dolls.
Looking closely at each piece, you can tell how hard the children worked to make them with their little hands.
The freely made works and charming creations warmed my heart.
National Important Cultural Property: Nozaki's Historical Residence and the Taikado Villa
Next, I headed to Nozaki's Historical Residence.
It was a bit of a walk, but the weather was nice, so I went on foot.
Walking along the Odagawa River, I could see the water sparkling in the sunlight.
Hina doll tour banners had been put up along the shopping streets and roads, brightening up the town.
Nozaki's Historical Residence is the estate of Nozaki Buzaemon, who opened extensive salt fields in the late Edo period and amassed a fortune by building a “salt-field kingdom.”
The grounds cover approximately 3,000 tsubo.
In addition to the main house, there are six storehouses.
The storehouses are said to be “a merchant's castle,” and their number gives a sense of the family's prosperity at the time.
Passing through the nagayamon gate and the entrance, the main house comes into view.
The 42-meter stretch from the middle reception room to the opposite reception room comprises nine adjoining rooms.
I had never seen a use of space like this before. Its beauty took my breath away.
Two of the storehouses are open to the public as exhibition halls.
Precious furnishings and household items dating back to the Edo period, along with various hina dolls, were on display.
The Kyoho hina doll, presented by the lord of the Okayama Domain, is 80 centimeters tall and is the largest hina doll in Japan.
They say that when you look up at the hina doll from below, it appears to be smiling.
If you're curious, be sure to visit during the next event and look up at it.
More than 200 items are on display, including hina dolls made by “Kyoto master craftsman” Heizo Oki, dolls of Emperor Meiji, and hina doll accessories.
Every item is precious.
The distinguished hina dolls, carefully passed down through generations, are awe-inspiring.
The Taikado Villa, an annex, is just a short distance from Nozaki's Historical Residence.
It was built as a guesthouse and is not usually open to the public.
However, during the hina doll tour, the Ohina Dosokai is held, and the villa is opened to the public as a special event.
This is a very rare opportunity to visit a residence that is normally off-limits.
I was eager to visit, too, and headed to the Taikado, trying to contain my excitement.
The admission ticket is also valid for Nozaki's Historical Residence.
As I walked through the beautifully maintained garden, colorful hanging hina dolls came into view.
Hanging decorations are displayed to wish for the healthy growth of children.
The many colorful hanging decorations on display are sure to catch your eye.
Look closely at the hanging decorations, and you can see that each one has been carefully sewn.
Thinking about how much time and effort must have gone into them made these charming decorations seem even more precious.
Inside Taikado Hall, dolls of all sizes are displayed around the spacious hall, which has a floor area of 100 tatami mats.
It was truly an “Ohina Dosokai.”
Visitors were taking photos one after another.
The writer waited for the right moment and snapped a photo, too.
From the Writer
The Doll Festival is a special annual occasion celebrated with wishes for the healthy growth and happiness of children.
During the Hina Doll Tour, I encountered many hina dolls.
Looking closely, each has a different expression and outfit; no two are alike.
Each one was chosen by a parent for their own child.
That suddenly makes me feel quite emotional.
Thinking that my own parents raised me with such care, I wanted to express my gratitude to them once again.
Behind every hina doll is a story of a parent and child.
Be sure to experience the stories of parents and children that transcend time on the Hina Doll Tour.
I’d like to visit with my children next year.
24th Kojima Hina Doll Tour Information
| Name | 24th Kojima Hina Doll Tour |
|---|---|
| Dates | February 25–March 12 ・Kojima Civic Exchange Center: 9:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. ・Nozaki's Historical Residence: 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (gates close at 5:00 p.m.) |
| Locations | Ajino Shopping Street’s “Kojima Jeans Street” Kojima Station Front Area, Jeans Museum Area, Shimotsui and Washuzan Hill Area, Karakoto and Tatami-beri Area, Canvas Area (Sohara, Kurashiki City) |
| Admission (tax included) | Nozaki's Historical Residence Adults: ¥500; elementary and junior high school students: ¥300; groups of 30 or more receive a 20% discount ※ Free for high school students and younger on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays ※ Visitors presenting a disability certificate receive a 20% discount on admission (for the certificate holder and one accompanying person) |
| Website | Kurashiki Tourism WEB | Kurashiki Hina Doll Tour |
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