Iwatsuki's doll heritage on display for Hinamatsuri

I live in northern Chiba Prefecture, wedged between Saitama and Ibaraki Prefectures. Most of my adventures take me to Chiba locations, but this time, I ventured into Saitama for Hinamatsuri. Hinamatsuri is a Shinto festival celebrated on March 3rd. It's marked by displays of ornamental dolls called 雛人形 hinaningyo. In late February, Iwatsuki Ward in Saitama City puts on a show of these exquisite dolls. My friends and I enjoyed the spectacle on February 22nd, and you have an opportunity to see the gorgeous dolls again on March 2nd for Hinamachi. 

This year, the Iwatsuki Ningyo Museum, a municipal facility, celebrates it's fifth year. The museum's exhibits are in Japanese and English, revealing the history and manufacture techniques used by Iwatsuki's craftspeople.

The big draw is display of dolls on the stairs leading to Atago Shrine. It's impressive and visitors can hold the dolls for photos.

If the weather cooperates, it's worth a trip to see this classic display of dolls and doll manufacture. My companions and I also dropped by the repurposed Taisho era bank building. Togyoku Taishokan has modern and antique dolls. Take your time to see some amusing variations on doll displays and decorations. One charmer for us was the snake, in honour of the snake year on the Asian zodiac, with a top hat.

Does your community do a big doll display for Hinamatsuri? Tell us about it!