Seto City

We went on an all day excursion with Emily's Japanese class on Sunday. We visited a town called Seto City to see the Hina Matsuri Festival. The Hina Matsuri is also known as the Doll Festival or Girl's Festival and is celebrated on March 3. On this day, old dolls are displayed and young girls are given special hina dolls. Families with girls wish their daughters a successful and happy life. The teachers took us on a tour of the city and through a variety of museums, shops, and displays of antique dolls. Many of the dolls on display were between 100-400 years old.

Huge display of hana dolls in the museum

Very beautifully displayed at a little shop and museum

This doll was so pretty - very colorful and elegant

Bride and groom

Hana doll house - with beautiful gold accents

We learned that these are made by mothers and grandmothers in replace of hana dolls. This is a new tradition started in the 60's because hana dolls are too expensive for some families to buy.

Eating lunch at a local Japanese restaurant. There were about 15 of us on the field-trip. Sitting next to Emily is her teacher. Across the table are 2 other Japanese teachers and a student from Poland.

I couldn't resist - this display was just so cute!