Updated: Feb. 15, 2017
Hina-matsuri dolls (雛祭りの雛人形) are being displayed at the following locations in eastern Shiga to celebrate Girl’s Day on March 3.
Gokasho, Higashi-Omi: Normal hina ningyo dolls are displayed in the Omi-shonin merchant homes and museums. They are on display from Feb. 1 to March 20, 2017 (9:30 am to 5:00 pm, closed on Feb. 6) in the former residences of Tonomura Uhee (外村 宇兵衛), Tonomura Shigeru (外村 繁), Nakae Jungoro (中江 準五郎), and Fujii Hikoshiro (藤井 彦四郎邸). The homes are large, stately Japanese-style mansions. Must-see for architecture buffs. Buy a single ¥600 ticket and you can enter all the homes.
On the weekend of Feb. 18–19, 2017, Gokasho is having a unique event of live hina dolls called Ningen Hina-matsuri (にんげん雛まつり). Yes, they are real girls, ten of them, dressed as Hina dolls. They will appear twice on both days at 10:00 am to 11:30 am and at 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm at the Omi-shonin merchant home of Tonomura Shigeru (外村繁邸).
Closest train station is Ohmi Railways Gokasho Station. Photos | Photos 2 | Google Map | English website | Web info 2
Omi-Hachiman: Hina dolls on display from Feb. 4 to March 26, 2017 at several locations including the former Ban family residence (旧伴家住宅) (closed Mon.) that was an Omi merchant home. It also served as a girls school and public library until 1997. Spacious room with a large display of Hina dolls. The former Nishikawa Residence (Kyu-Nishikawa-ke Jutaku 旧西川家住) also has doll display. This is a large Omi merchant home designated as an Important Cultural Property. The Museum of History and Folklore (歴史民俗資料館), Hakuunkan, and some shops in central Omi-Hachiman will also have hina doll displays. Closest train station is Omi-Hachiman Station from where buses run to the Hachiman-bori area. Photos | Google Map | English website
Hino: Central Hino is holding its annual Hinamatsuri Doll Festival from Feb. 12 to March 12, 2017. Dolls are displayed at Omi Hino Merchant House (近江日野商人館), the former home of Hino merchant Yamanaka Hyouemon that was donated to the town in 1981. Now a museum exhibiting the history and artifacts of the Hino merchants. Admission 300 yen. Another place is Hino Machikado Kan-okan (日野まちかど感応館) which is a former merchant’s home along Hino’s main road. It is also a tourist information office. Free admission. Some shops and homes in central Hino from Okubo Ginza to Umamioka Watamuki Shrine will also have hina doll displays. Closest train station is Ohmi Railways Hino Station. Photos | Google Map | English website
Enjoy Girl’s Day!
Japanese hina-matsuri map: http://www.omi-syonin.com/hina_html/hina04.html
