The Hina Doll Hanging Decoration Festival, where colorful dolls are decorated in hopes of the healthy growth of children, has begun in Higashiizu Town, Shizuoka Prefecture, to the delight of tourists.
This event was started on the 20th by the Inatori Onsen Ryokan Cooperative Association in Higashiizu Town, and approximately 20,000 decorations are displayed at the main venue, Hina no Yakata.
This decoration is said to have been passed down to this area since the late Edo period, and consists of hanging threads with small handmade dolls attached to them.
There are a total of 34 types of dolls, including one modeled after a young child crawling and praying for the child's healthy growth, and the ``Tawara Mouse'' which is said to bring luck with money.
Also, at the venue, ``Kokin Hina'', which are said to be works from the late Edo period, are on display along with hanging decorations made during the Taisho period.
In addition, there was also a large 17-tiered hina dai (hina doll) decorated with 151 hina dolls, which visitors looked at with great interest.
A couple visiting from Saitama Prefecture said, ``I felt that each and every hanging decoration was made with great care.''
This ``Doll's Hanging Decoration Festival'' is being held at four venues, including ``Hina no Yakata'' in Higashiizu Town, until the end of March this year.