[Saitama ]Two events to get in the mood for the Doll Festival on Peach Festival

Iwatsuki Ward in Saitama City is widely known as a town of dolls. It is said that doll making began in Iwatsuki during the Edo period. When Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Edo Shogunate, built the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, craftsmen gathered from all over Japan along the Nikko Onari Kaido Road. The area around Iwatsuki, the first post town from Edo, was suitable for growing paulownia wood, which led to the flourishing of doll making. Numerous doll stores line the shopping street at the east exit of Iwatsuki Station on the Tobu Urban Park Line. A doll mound is located in Iwatsuki Joshi Park.

Iwatsuki Joshi Park is located approximately 1.5 km east of Iwatsuki Station. The site of Iwatsuki Castle, which is said to have been built at the end of the Muromachi Period and the beginning of the Sengoku Period, has been developed. In the center of the park, surrounded by the earthen mounds of the former castle, is an iris pond with a calm surface and a brightly painted vermilion bridge over it.

Floating on an iris pond "bales "

"On the day of the Iwatsuki Nagashibina ", a special tent is set up along Shobu Pond. They sell "san-dawara (three bales) "to float on the pond. "San-dawara "are round platforms about 12 cm in diameter made of woven straw, on which hina dolls made of Japanese paper are placed. The dolls are then floated in water to pray for the good health of the children.

"Machikado Hina Meguri held in Iwatsuki Ward "

"For about two weeks before and after "the Peach Festival "including the day of the Iwatsuki Nagashibina ", "Machikado Hina Meguri "will also be held at the same time in Iwatsuki Ward. Not only in the shopping district around Iwatsuki station, but also in the city there are doll stores scattered all over the city, and each store has its own elaborate display of dolls.

Iwatsuki Ningyo Museum to experience Japanese culture through traditional crafts

The streets of Iwatsuki are filled with the mood of the Doll Festival around the Peach Festival, but you can see dolls throughout the year at the Iwatsuki Doll Museum. The museum opened in February 2020, almost halfway between Iwatsuki Station and Iwatsuki Joshi Park.
Upon entering the Iwatsuki Doll Museum, visitors are reminded that Saitama Prefecture, including Iwatsuki, is the largest producer of dolls in Japan, and the first floor exhibition room displays traditional doll-making methods, along with production tools, materials, dolls made in the neighborhood, literature, and other materials. Visitors can also watch videos of modern craftsmen making dolls. This is a unique opportunity to experience Japanese culture through traditional crafts.

"Facility Information "
Facility Name Iwatsuki Doll Museum
Address: 6-1-1 Honmachi, Iwatsuki-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama
Phone number 048-749-0222
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (admission until 16:30)
Closed Mondays (open if Monday is a holiday)/New Year's Holidays (December 28 to January 4)
Adults: 300 yen/High school, college, and 65 years old and over: 150 yen/High school, college, and 65 years old and over: 150 yen/Elementary and junior high school students: 100 yen (admission fee)
Access Tobu Urban Park Line "Iwatsuki Station "10 min. walk from East Exit
Official website https://ningyo-muse.jp/

It is said that doll making began in Konosu City in the middle of the Edo period. Numerous craftsmen along the old Nakasendo Road practiced their skills. Even today, countless doll stores line the streets of Ningyocho in the southeastern part of the city. The dolls, which mark a tradition of about 380 years, have become known throughout Japan as "Konosu-bina "and are one of the three major doll fairs "in Kanto ".

The tallest pyramid hina-doll platform in Japan decorated with hina dolls will appear at the main venue ""

"The main venue of the Konosu Surprising Hinamatsuri "is the Elmi Konosu Shopping Mall, directly connected to the east exit of Konosu Station on the JR Takasaki Line, where a giant pyramid-like hina-dan will appear in the Central Court on the first floor. The 31-tiered pyramid is approximately 7 meters high and was certified in 2012 as the tallest pyramid hina-dan in Japan "decorated with hina dolls "by "Japan's No.1 Net ". There are about 1,500 dolls arranged in a staircase. Each doll is unique, showing individuality in face, expression, posture, and costume. The hina-dan is surrounded by panels for commemorative photos and a store selling local specialties.

In the overhang in front of the dais, the dolls look as if they are riding on a crowded train.

The Central Court, where the dolls will be placed, has a vaulted structure, so the view of the dolls from different angles from the second and third floors will give a very different impression.

"Facility Information "
Facility Name Elmi-Konosu Shopping Mall
Address: 1-1-2 Honmachi, Konosu-shi, Saitama
Phone number 048-540-7101
Business hours: 10:00 to 21:00
Access JR Takasaki Line "Konosu Station "Directly connected to East Exit
Official website https://www.elumikonosu.com/

Konosu City Industrial Tourism Museum where you can deepen your knowledge of traditional Japanese crafts. "Hinanosato "

"At the Konosu Surprising Hinamatsuri ", in addition to the Elumi Konosu Shopping Mall, hina dolls will be displayed at satellite venues throughout the city. Konosu City Industrial Tourism Center "Hina no Sato ", built in a part of Ningyo-machi, will also be a venue. Inside the museum, "Keshi-bina ", "Kyoho-bina ", "Kokin-bina ", "Gosho-ningyo "and other dolls are on display. The doll-making process is also introduced, so visitors can deepen their knowledge of traditional Japanese crafts.

The storehouse, built in the Meiji era in the courtyard, will be filled with dolls without gaps. A special stage will be set up in front of the warehouse, and events such as shakuhachi and shamisen performances will be held.

"Facility Information "
Facility Name Konosu Industrial Tourism Center "Hinanosato "(Konosu-shi Sangyo Kankoukan)
Address: 1-4-20 Ningyo, Konosu-shi, Saitama
Phone number 048-540-3333
Access JR Takasaki Line "Konosu Station "15 min. walk from East Exit
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: Wednesdays (or the following day if the Wednesday falls on a national holiday) / Year-end and New Year holidays
Official website https://www.konosu-kanko.jp/hinanosato/

Hexagonal pyramid of daisies appearing in the main building of the Flower and Music Museum Kawasato "Hanakyu no Sato "

Flower and Music Museum Kawasato "Hanakyu no Sato "will also be a satellite venue for "Konosu Bikkuri Hinamatsuri ". "Hanakyu no Sato "opened in 2002 with the main building constructed in 1851 at the end of the Edo period. The building is said to be the perfection of minka building in the Kanto region, with over one-foot tall daikobashira (main pillar) and four-tiered beams supporting a hakomune-kawara-buki roof.

"During the Konosu Surprising Hina Festival ", a hexagonal pyramid of dolls decorated with flowers and dolls appears in the salon of the main building. Vine-shaped dolls are hung from the ceiling. Hina dolls are also lined up by the window. If you carefully observe the hina dolls lined up according to their period of production, you will be able to feel the history of the dolls. In addition, there will be an exhibition of temari in the hall of the Nagayamon gate.

"Facility Information "
Facility Name: Flower and Music Museum Kawasato "Hanakyu no Sato (Home of Kakyu) "
Address: 343 Sekishinden, Konosu-shi, Saitama
Phone number 048-569-3811
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: Tuesdays (or the following day if Tuesday is a national holiday) / Year-end and New Year holidays
Access JR Takasaki Line "Konosu Station "25 min. by bus from East Exit
Official website https://www.kakyunosato.or.jp/

Three-sided pyramid daisies to be set up at the agricultural products direct sales shop "Pansy House "

The agricultural products direct sales shop "Pansy House "will also be one of the satellite venues for "Konosu Surprising Hinamatsuri ". A three-sided pyramid daisy stand will be set up inside a stall selling fresh local vegetables and fruits.

"Octagonal pyramid of daisies to be displayed at Cosmos Arena Fukage "

"Cosmos Arena Fukiage "is a public sports facility, but on the day of the "Konosu Surprising Hina Festival ", an octagonal pyramid of daisies will be displayed in the entrance hall.

"Facility Information "
Facility Name Cosmos Arena Fukiage
Address: 636-1 Akeyo, Konosu-shi, Saitama
Phone number 048-548-3112
Hours: 9:00 to 21:00
Closed: Tuesdays (Wednesdays if Tuesday falls on a national holiday) / Year-end and New Year holidays (December 28 to January 4)
Access JR Takasaki Line "Fukiage Station "About 30 min. walk from South Exit
Official website https://cosmos-arena.com/