Hinamatsuri (also known as Doll’s Day or Girls’ Day) is an annual festival in Japan to celebrate the health and happiness of young girls. We celebrate this special day by decorating with hina dolls and enjoying festive foods, such as chirashi sushi, clam soup, and strawberry daifuku.
Every year on March 3rd in Japan, we celebrate Hinamatsuri (雛祭り) to wish and pray for the health and well-being of all young girls. Unlike Children’s Day, observed on May 5, Hinamatsuri is not an official holiday, but it is widely celebrated in Japan. In fact, the festival is a unique and joyous occasion that Japanese girls eagerly anticipate.
What is Hinamatsuri?
Hinamatsuri (雛祭り) is also known as the Doll Festival or Girls’ Day. ‘Hina‘ refers to the special dolls for the occasion, and ‘matsuri‘ is the Japanese word for a festival or holiday. On this day, families and communities come together to commemorate girls and their femininity.
Traditionally, Hinamatsuri was known as Momo no Sekku (桃の節句) or ‘the peach festival’ as it took place after winter when the peach trees in Japan began to flower.
The custom of Hinamatsuri is one of Japan’s five sekku, or seasonal festivals. These sekku festivals are celebrated on the first day of the first month (1/1), the third day of the third month (3/3), the fifth day of the fifth month (5/5), and so on. As the third sekku festival, Hinamatsuri is observed on March 3rd.
As it also signals the arrival of spring, you’ll notice spring-themed colors like pink, green, and white used in decorations at homes, store windows, or classrooms.
In case you’re wondering, we have another occasion known as Children’s Day that celebrates boys and children in general that is held on May 5th.
How We Celebrate Hinamatsuri
On this special occasion, Japanese families with young daughters display their special hina dolls or hina ningyo (雛人形) on red-cloth-covered platforms. When a baby girl is born, her parents or grandparents may buy a set of hina ningyo, or they may pass down their own set to the girl.
The image below shows a grander display where the dolls are dressed in traditional costumes laid out hierarchically on a red terraced stand. These dolls are said to represent the emperor, empress, attendants, and musicians of the Heian period, and are used to pray for health, prosperity, and traditionally, a good marriage which was the hallmark of a good life.
The miniature hina ningyo in the picture below was gifted to me by my friend from Osaka a long time ago. I look forward to decorating this ornament every year as a symbolic gesture to dedicate the day to my daughter.
The Origin of Hinamatsuri
Hinamatsuri is believed to have its roots in the ancient Chinese custom of warding off evil spirits by transferring the sins of the body and any misfortunes to dolls and releasing them into the rivers. This practice served as a form of purification, and families with girls would create hina ningyo (雛人形), or hina dolls, out of straw and take them down to the river on boats, supposedly freeing all potential bad luck and troubles.
In some rural areas of Japan, you can still find this custom, called hina-okuri or nagashi-bina, being carried out, with people floating paper dolls down the rivers.
Traditional and Festive Foods for Hinamatsuri
In addition to the doll display, the Japanese also celebrate Girl’s Day by eating special foods. Since it’s springtime in Japan, you’ll find many dishes and sweets with spring and pink color themes being enjoyed on this day. If you have a daughter(s) and are planning to prepare a special meal to celebrate this holiday, here are some recipes you could consider for the festivity.
1. Chirashi Sushi
The Japanese typically eat Chirashi Sushi on Girls’ Day. It’s colorful and pretty, perfect for girls! I also have a quick recipe with premade Chirashi Sushi Mix, which is widely available in Japanese/Asian grocery stores.”
2. Temari Sushi
These colorful and beautiful sushi balls are called Temari Sushi, perfect for celebrating Girls’ Day! Setting up a DIY Temari Sushi Party for your children or girls would be a fun idea!
3. Mosaic Sushi
This colorful Mosaic Sushi features sashimi, tamagoyaki rolled omelette, and vegetables arranged in a checkerboard pattern over sushi rice. It’s a feast for the senses! Despite its exquisite presentation, it can be made at home by anyone.
4. Chirashi Sushi Cake & Chakin Sushi
Layered like a flower petal, this Chirashi Sushi Cake will be the centerpiece of the menu. It might look difficult to make, but trust me, it’s really easy!
5. Inari Sushi
For finger food, Inari Sushi is a popular dish to serve at the Girl’s Day celebration. My recipe is slightly different from the traditional method, but you’ll enjoy making these rice-stuffed tofu pockets sushi.
6. Clam Clear Soup (Ushiojiru)
Ushio-jiru is a clear soup made with seafood such as white fish or clams and seasoned with only salt and sake. Clear Clam Soup is the most popular soup to go with chirashi sushi. I have a Clam Soup recipe that incorporates miso flavor.
7. Futomaki
Futomaki is a traditional thick sushi roll typically filled with vegetables and sometimes includes cooked fish. As you can prepare festive-looking sushi ahead of time, it makes a great dish to celebrate events like Hinamatsuri.
8. Cherry Blossom Rice Balls
Your daughter(s) and friends would be very excited if you make these Cherry Blossom Rice Balls (桜のおにぎり) for them. Adorned with beautiful pink blossoms, they make the occasion extra special. If the girls are into cooking, why not get their help in making the rice balls too? You can buy the salt-pickled cherry blossoms from this online store that ships internationally!
9. Sakura Mochi
For desserts, you can enjoy spring-themed sweets such as Sakura Mochi. The salt-pickled cherry leaf gives a nice contrast to the sweet red bean mochi.
10. Strawberry Daifuku Mochi
Another popular dessert is Strawberry Daifuku. Tangy and sweet strawberry wrapped with sweet red bean paste and soft and chewy mochi. Japanese strawberries are in season during spring, so this spring-themed dessert is perfect for Girl’s Day!
11. Hanami Dango
Hanami Dango is enjoyed during cherry blossom viewing, and these three-color rice balls (sanshoku dango) are a popular treat in spring!
12. Mitarashi Dango
Classic Mitarashi Dango is much easier to make compared to sanshoku dango. Enjoy the savory-sweet glaze on top of chewy dango mochi!
13. Cherry Blossom Cookies
Made with butter, sugar, flour, and salt-pickled cherry blossoms, these Cherry Blossom Cookies are crispy, buttery and so pretty. You can smell and taste the cherry blossoms, which is the highlight of these cookies.
14. Japanese Strawberry Cake
Nowadays, many people also like to buy cakes to celebrate Hinamatsuri. If you’re up for a baking project with your daughters, you can make this Japanese strawberry cake with homemade whipped cream. Nothing is more satisfying than a simple homemade cake. They would proudly bring this to school and share the celebration and culture with their friends.
15. Amazake
Creamy with a natural mild sweetness, Amazake is a popular Japanese hot drink during Hina Matsuri, serving as a non-alcoholic option to shirozake (白酒), a sweet white sake traditionally served on this day.
16. Hina Arare (Sweet Rice Crispy) & Hina Ame (Candy)
On Hinamatsuri, kids enjoy eating these rice crispy snacks (hina arare.) and candies (hina ame). The rice crackers are coated with sugar, but they’re not too sweet and have a nice crisp texture.
You can purchase these colorful treats in Japanese grocery stores starting around February.
A Special Day for Girls
It is a special day when we come together as a family and community to celebrate our love for girls. I hope you enjoy these Hinamatsuri or Girls’ Day recipe menus we’ve put together. Happy Hinamatsuri!
Hinamatsuri - A Popular Manga Series
If you’re a big anime fan, you’ve probably heard of this popular Japanese manga series, also named Hinamatsuri, which has been adapted into an anime television series.
The story follows a young yakuza member, Yoshifumi Nitta, who ends up taking care of a mysterious girl with telekinetic powers named Hina, who suddenly appears in his apartment. It is a rather unexpected yet fun and well-constructed comedy.
You can watch the anime here. Get ready to laugh your heart out!
More Japanese Customs and Traditions
- 12 Japanese Cultural Activities and Games to do with Kids
- 15 Japanese Desserts to Celebrate the Seasons
- {Japanese Children’s Book} Issun Boshi: The One-Inch Boy
- Children’s Day (Boys’ Day) & 10 Recipes to Celebrate
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on Mar 1, 2013. It’s was republished with new content on February 25, 2024.
