Sagemon decorations shaking in the spring breeze and the Ohina-sama water parade

Sagemon and girls

Sagemon, which is a unique hanging decoration from Yanagawa, is a symbol of prayers and making wishes. The charming appearance of elegantly dressed children riding boats on the river. Sagemon decorations are beautifully reflected on the surface of the river.

<2019 Event information>
January 4 (Fri) - 31 (Thu)
Sagemon and Yanagawa Mari Handballs Contest
January 26 (Sat) to January 27 (Sun)
Sagemon exhibition and sale event
February 11 (public holiday, Monday)
Ohina Hajime-sai
February 11 (public holiday, Monday) - April 3 (Wed)
Shimerring doll lanterns and a large sagemon
March 2 (Sat) - 31 (Sun)
Cruise boat going around doll installation spots (operates only on Saturdays and Sundays)
March 3 (Sun)
Ohina-sama procession
Beginning and mid March
Ebisu-hina path
March 9 (Sat) - 10 (Sun)
Yanagawa Kimono wearing weather day
March 17 (Sun)
Ohina-sama Water Parade ※ Will be moved to the 24th in case of rainy weather
April 3 (Wed)
Nagashi-bina festival
April 4 (Thu) - 19 (Fri)
Ohina-sama photo contest

Enjoy the unique Hinamatsuri of the Suigo waterland

Ohina-sama Water Parade

Sagemon, which are used as decorations during the Yanagawa Hinamatsuri are said to have begun at the end of the Edo period when celebrations of the first anniversary of a newly born girl were held for which these decorations were made from pieces of old fabric to be used instead of Ohina-sama. As for the small items, auspicious things such as cranes, turtles, shrimps and sanbaso are used for hanging and each one of them is made into a bag in which you can put things. On the bamboo ring there are 49 different pieces in seven rows of seven pieces each and two large Yanagawa Mari handballs are in the center making it 51 pieces in total. The decoration reflects the wishes of parents who wanted to live even an extra year longer in those times when it was said that a life only lasts for 50 years. ”Sagemon” with articles related to good luck is a decoration made with a wish of happiness and health of baby girls celebrating their first anniversaries, protection from diseases and misfortunes and for all the good things. This tradition has been hanged down from parents to children and to grandchildren and has continued to be a custom of celebrating by everybody in the community, so the heartwarming compassion and local bonds are being treasured by the people.

Yanagawa Domain Tachibana House ”Hana” with Hinata and Sakegun

The ”Ohina-sama water parade” was as a result of creating an event for tourists to make the doll festival of Yanagawa even more popular, while it has already become a popular spring attraction in Yanagawa and has been enjoying popularity among tourists. A music band, men dressed as male and female dolls and young girls in fine clothes get on river boats and slowly go down the river. Photo enthusiasts gladly come for this event which is great for talking photos. The sagemon decorate the shopping streets near the pier helping to make the doll festival even more splendid.
In principle, every year the Yanagawa Tachibana Tei ”Ohana”, ”Yanagawa City Tourist Information Center” and ”Kitahara Hakushu Birthhouse”, etc. have exhibitions for general public.

Ohina-sama procession

Hina-kazari are mainly seen at the Yanagawa Shopping District and the Okinohata Shopping District. As for sightseeing courses, tours consisting of sailing down the river, visiting ”Ohana”, etc, and tryig the Yanagawa special eel dishes will be very pleasing. Also, it is the season for such delicacies coming from the Ariake Sea as the locally famous lingulas and mantis shrimps. After walking around the city, you can heal your fatigue at the ”Karatachi Bunjin Foot Bath”.