Hinamatsuri, Japanese Girls' Day

Learn about Hinamatsuri, a celebration for girls.

Intermediate

Read and listen to this story in Beelinguapp!

It's the dawn of spring, and Japanese families are preparing to celebrate Girls' Day or Hinamatsuri, literally meaning Doll's Festival. This holiday is celebrated on March 3 to pray for the health and happiness of young girls. The celebration dates back to the Heian period (794-1192), when people threw handmade paper or straw dolls into the river to ward off misfortune and evil spirits.