Yanagawa Hina Matsuri

柳川雛祭り

Fukuoka · Kyushu

The sagemon displays run daily through the whole festival window, but the signature Ohina-sama water parade is a single 80-minute event on one Sunday morning only — in 2026 it was 15 March, 11:00 to 12:20, with 20 March as the rain date. Yanagawa's Hina Matsuri fills the canal town's shops, homes and old merchant houses with sagemon: mobiles of hand-sewn silk ornaments hung in rings around a pair of dolls, a Chikugo tradition made for daughters' first spring. The other fixed days are the opening procession on 11 February, kimono day on 8 March, and the closing Nagashi-bina rite on 3 April, when dolls are set adrift. On any other date you get the displays and the illuminated giant sagemon, but no parade. The 2027 dates had not been announced at the time of writing; the 2025 and 2026 editions both ran 11 February to 3 April, and the parade date is normally confirmed only a few months ahead.

Dates: February 11 – April 3Dates follow the event's usual annual pattern — confirm with the organizer before you travel.
Location: Fukuoka · Kyushu
Nearest station: Nishitetsu-Yanagawa Station · 23 min walk
Crowd level: Regional attendance
Entry: Paid admission
Official site: kyushu.tv/yanagigawahinamaturi

What to expect

The Yanagawa Hina Matsuri transforms the city's canals into a dreamlike scene with boats carrying living dolls dressed in vibrant kimonos. The gentle lapping of water and colorful decorations create a serene yet festive ambiance.

Best viewing tips

For the best view, position yourself along the canal banks near the Yanagawa Ohana area. Late afternoon offers beautiful lighting for photography, and consider bringing a zoom lens to capture the intricate details of the dolls.

How to get there

From Hakata Station · ~1h 8m by car

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