Hina Dolls of Chuma in Asuke | Asuke-Town | Toyota City | Aichi Prefecture | Official Site | Sightseeing Information | Directions | Parking | Details | AichiNow-OFFICIAL SITE FOR TOURISM AICHI

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. If you continue to browse, you accept the use of cookies on our site.
See our cookies policy for more information.

Accept

Toyota-City Hina Dolls of Chuma in Asuke

Date : 02/11/2023 - 03/12/2023


  • Hina Dolls of Chuma in Asuke-Town
  • Hina Dolls of Chuma in Asuke-Town

A Vast Collection of Hina and Clay Dolls for Everyone

A massive collection of Hina dolls displayed throughout the town, thanks to the collective effort of its residents. Go strolling around the streets, preserved in order to keep the look and feel of centuries ago, and experience first-hand a traditional celebration that is dearly imprinted in the childhood memories of virtually every Japanese woman!

The picturesque streets of Asuke are by themselves a sight to behold. Preserved as much as possible in the form of the old Japanese horse routes used for trade, thanks to the ceaseless efforts of its residents, flocks of tourists converge to this small village year round in order to step on the historic grounds of what once was an important merchant hub joining north to south, be amazed by the mountains vividly colored by the autumn trees, or simply enjoy the vibrant nature permeating the place.

Those same ingenuous citizens came up with an idea, in 1998, to promote tourism even further: "How about we all display our Hina dolls making them visible from the street for all to see?" The concept proved to be a success. Now, every year the town hosts the event, allowing curious tourists to peek at one of the most impressive collection of Hina dolls displayed at once.

Why See the Hina Dolls of Chuma?

It is known that Japanese hina dolls are somewhat difficult for a tourist to see. Unless at some special exposition, or at specialized sellers, these traditional decorative beauties are stowed away in each household, being taken out to decorate one of the house’s rooms only once a year, during the couple of weeks prior to the Hinamatsuri Festival, the "Girl's Day," commemorated on March 3rd. Other factors increase their rarity: households with only male offspring simply do not own the dolls, they are no longer displayed after the marriage of the daughters, and they are immediately put away after the commemorations, due to belief that leaving decorations past March 4th will result in late betrothal of the girls. For such reasons, people visiting Japan are rarely able to see the dolls, let alone witnessing multiple household-owned sets. That being so, the Dolls of Chuma, as property of each family in Asuke, make for an unmissable and renowned event even the Japanese talk a lot about.

Two Major Categories of Traditional Dolls

Hina Dolls of Chuma in Asuke-town

At Asuke, you'll be able to see dolls new and old, even some extremely rare ones from the Edo Period. But besides the dolls made from Kimono fabric, there are also those made of clay and hand painted, which are also important historic items. Other unique sets made from diverse materials are also expected to be displayed.

Meaning of "Chuma"

The term has its origins in the Edo Period, when freighters from the Shinshu region, who used horses for hauling cargo, united and passed to call themselves "Chukei-uma" (which roughly translates as "inter-connecting horse"). They used the town as relay station in the transport of salt from the Mikawa Bay to inland destinations, and tobacco and other mountain produce in the reverse direction. Later on, any person transporting goods by the then busy Ina Route (also known as Iida Route) would be called a "Chuma" worker.

Gandou Kid's Treating
A Hina Doll event that has been passed down since ancient times. On Ohina-san's Day, children shout "Show me the Ohina-san" at the houses they walk by, then head to be gifted with sweets at the wagashi sweets shops.
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2023
Target: Elementary school students and younger (up to 100 childred each store)
Participating stores: Fugai, Ryoguchiya, Katoya, Kawamuraya

Nitamachi Town Gandou
Get an exchange ticket at "Tamachi Kuminkan" in Nittamachi town and exchange it for sweets at Suzuman Honpo.
* Exchange ticket valid only on the day.
Date and time: February 12 (Sun), 19 (Sun), 26 (Sun), March 5 (Sun), 12 (Sun) from 10:00 AM, 2023
Target: Elementary school students and younger (up to 50 children on a first-come, first-served basis each day)

Dobina Earthenware Doll Painting Demonstration and Experience
While watching a demonstration by Mr. Negita, a clay doll artist from Mikawa Ohama, you will color the animal molds with acrylic paints.
Preschool children must be accompanied by a guardian. Experience time is about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Date: February 18 (Sat), 19 (Sun), 25 (Sat), 26 (Sun), March 4 (Sat), 5 (Sun), 11 (Sat), 2023 , 12 (Sun)
Demonstration time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM *At any moment during the time.
Experience time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM *Reservations not required, reception until 2:30 PM
Price: 500 yen per guest
Place: Former Taguchi House (near to Honmachi Civic Center)
* Doll available for painting are animal-shaped (not hina dolls).
* As a countermeasure against coronavirus, admission will be restricted during the painting experience. Also, please cooperate in providing address, name and other relevant contact information at the reception.

Chuuma Dolls Stamp Rally
If you buy, eat, and collect stamps at the shops participating in the Asuke Shopping Street Stamp Rally, 30 visitors on weekdays and 50 visitors on weekends will receive an original Hina-san ballpoint pen. *First-come, first-served basis.
Date: Every day during the period

EVENT OVERVIEW

  • Souvenirs
  • Parking
  • Restaurant
Date : February 11 (Saturday) to March 12 (Sunday), 2023
Holding time : 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (May vary for each store, household or public facility)
Place : Asuke Townscape and Korankei
Location : 〒444-2424
31-1 Miyadaira, Asuke-cho, Toyota-City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
(Asuke Tourist Association)
Fee : Free of charge
*: Exceptions may apply.
Phone number : 0565-62-1272 (Asuke Tourist Association)
Traffic restrictions : On weekends and holidays for the duration of the event, car traffic on neighboring roads may be partially restricted in order to guarantee pedestrian safety.

Note: This page may not be current due to update time differences between site databases.
Should accuracy be critical, please verify this information using a direct source, whenever possible.

ACCESS

  • Access by public transport
    Access by public transport
    1-From Nagoya Station, board the Higashiyama Line subway and alight at Fushimi Station.
    2-Change trains to the Tsurumai Line bound to Akaike and Toyotashi (may require changing trains again in Akaike - if changing trains in Akaike is not desirable, board the train bound for Toyotashi Station from Fushimi Station).
    3-Alight at Toyotashi Station and, from the East Gate Bus Platforms, board the Meitetsu Bus bound for Asuke (足助[鞍ヶ池公園前・香嵐渓経由]Asuke Kuragaike-koen-mae, Korankei Keiyu - Asuke via Kuragaike Park and Korankei).
    4-Ride for 45 min. (fee 800 yen) and get off at Korankei (香嵐渓).
    (Reference: http://www.meitetsu-bus.co.jp/rosen/index)
  • Access by car
    Access by car
    Approx. 15 min. (9.4km) eastwards from Chikaraishi I.C. of the Sanage Green Road via Route 153, or;
    Approx. 20 min. (13km) eastwards from Toyota-Kanpachi I.C. of the Tokai Loop Expressway via Route 153.

Share spot information with a smartphone

QR code

ACCESS MAP

KeywordKeyword
#Hina Dolls of Chuma in Asuke
#Hina Dolls
#Traditional Japanese Dolls
#Chuma
#Hina Festival
#Hina Matsuri

INFORMATION ON THE SURROUNDING AREA

KorankeiToyota-City

Korankei
Korankei is full of color in each season. As the leaves take on their autumnal hues, the s...
  • Parking

Asuke Townscape (Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings)Toyota-City

Asuke Townscape (Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings)
The charm of Asuke lies not only in its remarkable natural setting, but also in the old to...
  • Multipurpose toilet
  • Souvenirs
  • Parking
  • Restaurant
  • Bus Stop
  • Wi-Fi

Kojakuji TempleToyota-City

Kojakuji Temple
Kojakuji is an ancient temple of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism in the center of Korankei...

    Sanshu Asuke YashikiToyota-City

    Sanshu Asuke Yashiki
    Sanshu Asuke Yashiki's policy is "to create life's necessities by ourselves." This is a li...
    • Multipurpose toilet
    • Souvenirs
    • Parking
    • Restaurant
    • Nursing room
    • Wi-Fi

    Asuke CastleToyota-City

    Asuke Castle
    The former Asuke Castle was where the Suzuki Clan of Asuke resided and expanded their infl...
    • Parking
    • Wi-Fi

    Otaki Gorge (Otaki Keikoku)Toyota-City

    Otaki Gorge (Otaki Keikoku)
    Otaki Gorge is located along Niogawa River, the tributary of Tomoegawa River, in the city ...
    • Parking

    Strawberry Park MifuneToyota-City

    Strawberry Park Mifune
    In addition to eating scrumptious strawberries, visitors can relax in a comfortable open s...
    • Multipurpose toilet
    • Souvenirs
    • Parking
    • Card

    THE SURROUNDING ACCOMMODATION

    Page Top