AT the Hina Matsuri Festival on March 3rd, people display a couple of dolls in their wedding attire, often along with their attendants and trousseaus. They decorate peach flowers too and enjoy Shirozake, sweet white fermented-rice sake. The festival is often called Momo-no-Sekku, Festival of Peach Season, since it used to be celebrated in the season of peach flowers until the Gregorian calendar was introduced. Hina Matsuri Festival originates from playing dolls among girls hundreds of years ago. It’s eventually come to be recognized as a festival to pray for daughters’ and grand-daughters’ well-being. The Hina dolls were deemed to bear and undergo all the misfortunes of the girls. The festival then gradually became quite luxurious as they currently are. You may find it interesting that the marrying couple sit in different positions if you compare their placement between the Kanto and Kansai area.
Local Hina Matsuri Festivals
Hina Matsuri Festivals, which were originally celebrated at each home, are now celebrated at many public places throughout the nation. Visit some of them to admire beautiful Hina dolls or enjoy Hina Matsuri spirit and feast. Below are three of those festivals held in Gunma.
The 19th Stone-Step Hina Matsuri in Ikaho
When: March 7(Sat), 8(Sun)
Where: At the stone-steps in Ikaho
Access: A 25-min drive from Shibukawa Ikaho IC, Kan-etsu Expswy
Inquiry: Ikaho Onsen Kanko Kyokai
Tel. 0279-72-3151
*Adorable pre-schoolers with Hina make-up in beautiful Hina costumes will stand on the stone steps at this annual Hina Matsuri Festival. The above picture was taken at the past festival.
The 8th Hina Matsuri in Tatebayashi
| When: | Feb.14 (Sat) – March 4 (Wed) |
|---|---|
| Where: | At the Old Akimoto Bettei Annex in the Tsutsujigaoka Daini Park and several other places |
| Access: | A 10-min drive from Tatebayashi IC, Tohoku Expswy |
| Inquiry: | Tatebayashi City Tourism Association Tel. 0276-72-4111 or The 8th Hina Matsuri in Tatebayashi |
*Various kinds of Hina dolls will be displayed.
Kusatsu Kokusai Ski Area Hina Matsuri Day
| When: | March 3 (Tues) |
|---|---|
| Where: | Kusatsu Kokusai Ski Area |
| Access: | A 90-min drive from Shibukawa Ikaho IC, Kan-etsu Expswy, or a 5-min shuttle bus ride from Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal |
| Inquiry: | Kusatsu Kokusai Ski Area Tel. 0279-88-8111 |
*Women can use ski lifts and ropeways free of charge on this annual festival day. Complimentary sakura mochi rice-cakes and amazake sweet fermented-rice sake will be served for as long as they last.
The Gunma Prefectural Museum of History is the right place to visit now.
Furusato no Tako (Kites of the Birthplace) – Yamajika & Fujii Collection –
| When: | Until March 22 (Sun) |
|---|---|
| Where: | Gunma Prefectural Museum of History |
| Access: | A 10-min drive from Fujioka IC, Joshin-etsu Expswy |
| Inquiry: | Gunma Prefectural Museum of History Tel. 027-346-5522 or Furusato no Tako |
*About three hundred kites donated to the museum will be displayed. Enjoy hands-on experiences of kite-making/flying, too.
Pleasure of Admiring the Western Prints – From Goya to Chagall –
When: Feb. 21 (Sat) – March 22
(Sun)
Where: The Museum of Modern
Art, Gunma
Access: A 10-min drive from Fujioka IC, Joshin-etsu Expswy
Inquiry: The Museum of Modern Art, Gunma Tel. 027-346-5560 or Pleasure of Admiring the Western Prints
*Admire the works of the great Modern Western Artists such as Goya, Redon, Munch, Rouault, Miro and Chagall.
Akima Plum Grove Festival & Sales of Products from Chiba
When: March 14 (Sat), 15 (Sun)
Where: Akima Bairin Grove (In Nishi Kamiakima, Annaka)
Access: A 15-min drive from Matsuida-Myogi IC, Joshin-etsu Expswy, or a 20-min bus ride from Annaka Station, JR Shin-etsu Honsen Line
Inquiry: Annaka-shi Shoko Kanko-ka
Tel. 027-382-1111 or City of Annaka
*Products such as whale products and flowers from Minami-boso City, Chiba, Annaka’s sister city, will be sold from 10am to 3pm.
Haruna Ume (Plum) Marathon
| When: | March 8 (Sun) |
|---|---|
| Where: | Haruna Bunka Kaikan in Kamisatomi-machi, Takasaki |
| Access: | A 40-min drive from Takasaki IC, Kan-etsu Expswy |
| Inquiry: | Haruna Taiikukan (Gym) Tel. 027-360-8111 |
*Enjoy running in the biggest plum grove in Eastern Japan while looking at many plums in full bloom.
White Day Giveaway for Female Customers at Kusatsu Kokusai Ski Area
| When: | March 14 (Sat) |
|---|---|
| Where: | Kusatsu Kokusai Ski Area |
| Access: | A 90-min drive from Shibukawa Ikaho IC, Kan-etsu Expswy or a 5-min bus ride from Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal |
*The first 100 female purchasers of ski lifts will be entitled to enter a draw to win lift tickets and the Ski Area’s original goods.
Snowshoe-Walking Fun at Mt. Yunomaru
| When: | March 20 (National Holiday) |
|---|---|
| Where: | A 30-min drive from Tobu Yunomaru IC, Joshin-etsu Expswy |
| Access: | A 90 min drive from Shibukawa Ikaho IC, Kan-etsu Expswy, or a 5 min bus drive from Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal |
| Inquiry: | Tsumagoi Village Interpreter Organization (Contact Oshima) Tel. 0279-84-2303 or Tsumagoi Village Interpreter Organization (Scroll down for the specific information.) |
*Enjoy panoramic views of snow-capped mountains and wild animals playing around while walking on snowshoes. Interpreters from the Village Interpreter Organization will guide you.
