In the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture, spring arrives later than in other parts of Japan—and as a result, the tradition of Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival) is observed on April 3rd, a month later than the standard date. To celebrate, the Kuguno Community Center in Takayama City hosts an annual Kuguno Hina Doll Exhibition, running until early April.
The venue transforms each spring into a massive display of Hina dolls, with around 2000 of them on show. This is a true community effort, since the dolls have been generously donated by local households over the years. The highlight of the exhibition is an impressive 14-tiered doll platform in the main hall, surrounded by a wide variety of unique dolls, including Ichinomiya Town's Mayubina and Tsuchibina dolls.
The exhibition has grown steadily throughout its sixteen-year history, with new donations continuing to pour in annually. The event's chairman shared that while setting up such a vast display is a significant effort, the joy it brings to visitors—both locals and tourists—is deeply rewarding. Guests are often amazed by the sheer number of dolls and the intricate process involved in arranging and later dismantling the display.
The exhibition is free to enter and open daily (except Mondays) from 9am until 9.30pm.
