Impressive Hina-kazari, a doll display, at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku! Enjoy Hina-matsuri, doll festival, that provides an early taste of spring in Japan♪

Hina-matsuri: ancient Japanese festival to pray for women’s happiness

March 3 is called “Momo-no-sekku (Peach ceremony)” and each family displays Hina dolls as an ancient Japanese tradition to wish for a girl’s happiness and celebrates Hina-matsuri (Doll festival) together.

Although this festival started around the 1500s, only wealthy families were able to display Hina dolls at that time. Ordinary families brought kimono fabric, made small dolls, and displayed them instead of Hina dolls. These dolls are called Tsurushi-hina (dolls hung on a string). Each doll has a distinctive meaning and is filled with the parent’s love for their daughter.

Amazing Hina-kazari at Keio Plaza Hotel, a high-rise hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo!

Hina-matsuri is originally celebrated in each household in Japan. Therefore, overseas travelers rarely experience it. Hina-kazari at the main lobby on the third floor of Keio Plaza Hotel, located in the skyscraper district of Shinjuku, Tokyo, annually becomes a hot spot where visitors can experience the beautiful Japanese tradition of Hina-matsuri!

Time-honored Hinadan-kazari, a set of ornamental dolls displayed on platforms covered with a red carpet, is placed in the center. The dolls are made by artisans acknowledged by Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto. As many as 6,800 Tsurushi-hina dolls are hung from a height of 3.3 m around the Hinadan-kazari. Guests from all over the world rave about their magnificent beauty which is beyond breathtaking! Hina-kazari is displayed at the hotel from February 1 (Thurs) to March 29 (Thurs), 2018, so why don’t you stop by if you plan to visit Tokyo during this period!

Here are the details! http://www.keioplaza.com/index.html

Make a Japanese traditional Nioibukuro (perfume sachet) : Only on February 15

As a one-day only event that you can enjoy together with Hina-kazari, a workshop for making a Nioibukuro will be held on February 15 (Thurs) for overseas travelers.

Japanese people have carried a small pouch or sachet called Nioibukuro with various fragrant wood chips in it and since ancient times, have used this as a perfume. You can fully immerse yourself in Japanese culture as you experience two traditions of Hina-kazari and Nioibukuro. Your original Nioibukuro, an aroma of Japan, will definitely become a precious memory of Japan!

Date & Time: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on February 15 (Thurs) Price: 1,000 yen per person Place: Art lobby on the third floor

Enjoy a beautiful Hina-matsuri lunch!

There are many restaurants in the Keio Plaza Hotel. Ten restaurants among them will offer a special Hina-matsuri themed lunch during the period when the Hina-kazari is displayed! Since you are in Japan, we recommend you try washoku (Japanese food). Soujuan, a Kaiseki restaurant, will be offering a new, cute Kaiseki meal (traditional multi-course of Japanese dishes) featuring Hina dolls. Each dish will be prepared by the chefs with meticulous care and this set lunch is available at an affordable price!

Experience Hina Matsuri through your senses of sight, smell and taste. Enjoy this Japanese culture associated with spring at a long-established hotel in the skyscraper district of Shinjuku that is a symbol of Tokyo. Here are the details! http://www.keioplaza.com/index.html