[March 3 is Hinamatsuri] See the traditional "Kyoto Hina" up close. Be moved by its beauty!

Hinamatsuri is a traditional Japanese event that takes place on March 3rd every year, when dolls are displayed and prayers are made for healthy growth and health. It is also known as the Peach Festival and is still popular today. During this period, the lobby of the Kyoto Brighton Hotel will be decorated with traditional Kyoto Hina dolls. (This article is from 2024.)

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Kyoto Brighton Hotel

Kyoto Brighton Hotel is located in an area with excellent access to many World Heritage sites, such as Nijo Castle and Ginkaku-ji Silver Pavilion. There are many shops nearby selling Japanese ingredients, where you can enjoy buying soy sauce, miso, etc. It is about 5min walk to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, recommended for morning walks and running courses. In addition, the concierge knows well about Kyoto, where you can feel free to ask about sightseeing, restaurants, traditional crafts, etc. During cherry blossoms and autumn foliage seasons, there are special tours available for private viewing. The average size of guest rooms is 42 square meters, spacious enough to accommodate large suitcases, and equipped with comfortable sofas. There are a variety of restaurants in the hotel, including western food, teppanyaki (wagyu), traditional Japanese, Chinese, and a bar lounge. This is a hotel where you can arrange everything about Kyoto, including gourmet food and Kyoto-like experiences.

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Kyoto Brighton Hotel official website

What are Hina Dolls?

Hina dolls were originally meant to ward off evil spirits by transferring impurities to objects in the shape of humans. They were like talismans that protected precious children. In the Heian period, a doll game called "Hina-asobi" was popular among the children of aristocrats, and gradually spread, and it is said that from the Edo period to the Meiji period onwards, it became established as a style of beautifully decorating and appreciating dolls.

Do decorations and seasons differ depending on the region?

The general Hinamatsuri is on March 3rd. It is also called "Peach Festival" because it is the time when peaches bloom, which are said to have the power to ward off evil spirits. In areas where agriculture is thriving, it is held on April 3rd after the busy season has passed, and in some areas, Hina dolls are displayed on August 1st. Also, the expressions and costumes of the dolls vary from town to town, so it might be fun to participate in "Hinamatsuri events" held all over the country.

"Kyoto Hina dolls" are made in Kyoto and have a history of 1200 years.

Kyobina dolls are works of art that are entirely handcrafted by skilled craftsmen and faithfully reproduce the Heian period costumes down to the smallest detail. They are characterized by slightly narrow eyes and a unique, gentle face known as a "kyogashira." Also, in accordance with the ancient Japanese custom of placing the seat of honor in the direction of the rising sun, it is unique to Kyoto to display male dolls on the right side. This is the opposite display style to that in the Kanto region.

Is there any meaning behind the seven-tiered display?

The lobby of Kyoto Brighton Hotel is decorated with a magnificent seven-tiered display. Since ancient times, seven has been considered an auspicious number, and at the top are a male and female Hina doll set in the shape of the Emperor and Empress. Below them are dolls with their own roles: three female caretakers, a musical band of five children, a knight who will defeat evil, and three expressive attendants. Other small but intricately crafted items such as the bride's trousseau are also wonderful pieces of art. Be sure to take a look at them up close. (The exhibits and period change every year.)