Nagashibina Doll Museum 流しびなの館

The Nagashibina Doll Museum is an attractive timber building with a wonderful Japanese-style garden. The permanent exhibition of ornamental dolls features examples of dolls from over the centuries.

For a small additional fee, visitors can try their hand at making the woven straw baskets that are used as boats to float dolls down the river. (Reservations required).

The Nagashibina Doll Museum is a short walk from JR Mochigase Station on the JR Inbi Line.

Hinanagashi is a traditional event which originated in the Heian period (794-1185). During this event, straw Hina dolls are set afloat in baskets and sent down a river. It is believed that bad spirits are taken away with the dolls and washed out to sea. Since the Edo period (1603-1867) the festival has taken place annually on Girl's Day, on March 3rd.

Today, Hinanagashi is quite a rare practice, but the event still takes place every year in the historic district of Mochigase.