Yokohama Doll Museum's Hinamatsuri

The Yokohama Doll Museum will once again host its annual Hina Doll Exhibition, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the rich traditions of Hinamatsuri through an extensive display of dolls and miniature furnishings. The exhibition will be held in the museum’s 3rd Floor Special Exhibition Gallery and focuses on both traditional hina dolls and intricately crafted hina accessories reproduced in miniature form.

Highlights of the Exhibition

This year’s exhibition places special emphasis on hina dolls and hina furnishings (hina-dogu), highlighting their variety, craftsmanship, and cultural significance. The featured works are primarily drawn from the collection donated by Masui Ota, whose contributions form the foundation of the museum’s hina-related holdings. Over nearly half a century, she collected dolls, hair ornaments, and related artifacts. In 1983, she donated 630 items to the City of Yokohama, including 98 Edo-period hina dolls, 430 hina furnishings, and 27 gosho dolls. This generous donation remains one of the museum’s most valuable cultural assets and continues to support research, education, and public exhibitions.

The exhibition includes a wide range of pieces, from classic standing hina dolls (tachi-bina) to creatively designed works by renowned doll artist Mitsuhiko Noguchi. Alongside the dolls, visitors can view an impressive selection of hina furnishings, including essential ceremonial items such as kaioke (shell containers), as well as rare and distinctive objects like yagura clocks and soba boxes, which reflect historical Hinamatsuri customs and daily life.

Together, these dolls and accessories illustrate how hina traditions evolved from the late Edo period through the Taisho and Showa eras, highlighting both continuity and regional variation.

On February 1 and February 15, 2026, visitors to the Yokohama Doll Museum can participate in free curator-led talks, providing an in-depth look at the exhibition and its cultural context. Each session runs from 14:00 to 15:00 and begins in front of the 3rd Floor Special Exhibition Gallery. No reservation is required, and the talks are free of charge, though a same-day exhibition ticket is needed for entry.