Hida Living Doll Festival

The 'Living Doll Festival' held every April 3 at Hida Ichinomiya Minashi Shrine features nine unmarried women selected from across the Hida region who don full Heian-period court attire including the juni-hitoe (twelve-layered kimono) to embody the Emperor, Empress, and three court ladies in a solemn procession through town — truly 'living hina dolls.' After morning shrine rituals, the Living Doll Procession begins around 1 PM, with the elegantly dressed participants leading child attendants in a colorful parade heralding Hida's spring. A mochi-throwing ceremony and photo sessions follow the procession. This free, one-day-only event draws large crowds each year.