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Jan 29, 2026

Things I didn't try early on: "hina meguri"

In my early years in Japan I did see several "hina" displays. "Hina" are the traditional Japanese dolls displayed during the Dolls Festival, "Hina Matsuri". But it wasn't until I was in Japan many years that I actually started touring around various locations to see their dedicated Hina Matsuri Doll Displays. This type of touring, to see many of one thing in particular in one day, is called "meguri". In this case, "Hina Meguri".


There are different ways to say "Hina Meguri" in English. "Hina Doll Tour" is popular, but it doesn't quite convey the meaning in English. Not in British English anyway, where a tour implies that you follow a fixed route with a group of people. The Hina Meguri is just when you take it upon yourself to visit multiple spots, in the one day, to see various displays of Hina Dolls. Some towns and cities provide lists of places in their municipality so people can visit as few or as little as they like.


In Saitama Prefecture, Konosu, Tokorozawa and Iwatsuki are particularly good spots to do "Hina Meguri" as lots of different places in those cities have hina dolls on display. Have you / do you go around visiting different hina spots during the Hina Matsuri period? Any town / city you would recommend?


Things I didn't try early on: "hina meguri" photo

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

Former nickname was "Saitama". Changed it to save confusion on place review posts! Irish, 20+ years in Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com


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