Akizuki Nochi no Hina Doll Display

In the Edo period, households would set out their hina dolls a second time around the Choyo festival — a custom called nochi no hina. Where the spring doll festival prays for children's growth, this autumn observance wished for health and long life, and doubled as a practical airing of the dolls to prevent damage. Akizuki's event revives the custom within a preserved castle town. The setting is the flight of stone steps before the Nagaya gate of Akizuki Castle, where some 600 hina dolls are arrayed; using the steps themselves as the tiers produces a scale and impact quite unlike an indoor display. Akizuki is known as a little Kyoto, and the avenue of Sugi-no-baba and the Kuromon gate give the dolls an Edo-period backdrop. It is held on September 9 each year, from 10:00 to 15:00. In case of rain the event is cancelled outright, with no postponement.