How is Day celebrated in Japan?

Hinamatsuri is celebrated on March 3rd as a day to celebrate the health and happiness of young girls. It is also known as Girls' Day or Doll Festival, and is one of the five sekku, traditional seasonal festivals in Japan.

Hinamatsuri is celebrated by displaying a set of雛人形 hinaningyō, ornamental dolls representing the Emperor, Empress, courtiers, musicians and other attendants. These dolls are arranged on a tiered display, covered with a red carpet, and decorated with peach blossoms, paper streamers and other ornaments.

Japanese families with young daughters often display these dolls from the beginning of February until March 3rd. On Hinamatsuri, they typically eat special foods, such as chirashi-zushi (rice topped with raw fish, vegetables, and egg), hishimochi (diamond-shaped rice cakes colored red, white, and green) and sakuramochi (rice cakes wrapped in cherry blossom leaves), and drink shirozake (white sake).

Girls dress up in traditional kimonos and visit the homes of friends and relatives, where they exchange good-wishes and gifts. There are often hina doll festivals (hina-matsuri) held at local community centers, temples, and shrines, featuring elaborate displays of dolls.

Hinamatsuri is a joyous and colorful festival that celebrates the growth, happiness and well-being of young girls.