Wishes for Health and Happiness: Experience the Mochigase no Nagashibina Festival

Nagashibina Museum in Mochigase

Tottori Prefecture is home to a unique and deeply meaningful tradition that celebrates health, happiness, and renewal. Every year, on the third day of the third lunar month, the Mochigase no Nagashibina festival takes place, offering visitors an enchanting glimpse into Japan’s cultural heritage.

A Beautiful Tradition on the Water

Mochigase no Nagashibina coincides with Hinamatsuri, also known as the Doll’s Festival. During this event, pairs of paper dolls representing a boy and a girl are gently set afloat on the river. Accompanied by delicate peach branches, camellia flowers, and rapeseed blossoms, these symbolic figures carry heartfelt wishes for health and happiness throughout the coming year.

This festival, deeply rooted in Japanese folklore, serves as a purification ritual, with the dolls believed to absorb misfortunes before drifting away. Visitors are invited to take part in this meaningful experience and witness a centuries-old custom that remains a cherished annual event in Tottori.

Step Into History at the Nagashibina Museum

For those eager to learn more about this tradition, a visit to the Nagashibina Museum in Mochigase is a must. This cultural facility showcases a remarkable collection of around 1,000 Japanese dolls, including historic Hina dolls from the Edo period and various other iconic doll styles such as Kamo dolls and Gosho dolls. The museum itself is an architectural wonder, featuring a wooden design inspired by Kyoto’s famous Kinkaku-ji Temple, adding to the immersive cultural experience.

In addition to its impressive exhibition, the museum’s adjacent tourism and souvenir center offers an array of Nagashibina-related goods and local sweets, allowing visitors to take home a piece of this unique tradition.

Plan Your Visit - Nagashibina Museum

• Address: 32-1 Beppu, Mochigase-cho, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture
• Access: 10-minute walk from JR Mochigase Station
• Opening Hours: Closed on Wednesdays and during the New Year holidays (December 29 – January 3)
• Admission Fee: High school students and older: 300 yen / Junior high school students and younger: Free
• Website: http://nagashibinanoyakata.jp

Whether you are seeking a cultural experience, a moment of reflection, or simply the beauty of a centuries-old tradition, the Mochigase no Nagashibina festival is a must-see event in Tottori. Witness the harmony of nature, history, and heartfelt wishes as this festival brings communities together in celebration of health and happiness.