Awashima-jinja Shrine Hina Nagashi

Awashima-jinja Shrine Hina Nagashi is a traditional Shinto ritual held every year on March 3rd at Awashima-jinja Shrine in Kada, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. In this ceremony, hina dolls and paper dolls with written wishes, dedicated from all over Japan, are placed on three small white wooden boats and, after purification by the chief priest, are sent out to sea in a sacred ritual.

Awashima-jinja Shrine is the head shrine of all Awashima-jinja, Awashima-jinja, and Awaji-jinja shrines in Japan, and has long been worshipped as a deity for women's health, safe childbirth, and fertility. The sight of about 20,000 dolls dedicated from all over the country lined up throughout the precincts is breathtaking, and the shrine is also famous nationwide as a place for doll memorial services.

The origin of Hina Nagashi dates back to ancient China. Originally, there was a custom in China to perform purification rituals by the water on March 3rd or the third day of the third month, which was introduced to Japan. The ritual, in which sins and impurities were entrusted to paper dolls and floated away, evolved into a decorative doll festival for girls.

Awashima-jinja Shrine Hina Nagashi began in 1962. Initially, it was conducted with two boats, but since 1991, it has been increased to three. During the Edo period, the belief spread that 'all floating hina dolls would eventually reach Awashima-jinja Shrine in Kada,' making this ritual a symbol of the region.

Awashima-jinja Shrine Hina Nagashi is held every year on March 3rd from noon. The detailed schedule of the ritual is as follows.

• From 12:00, the Hina Doll Dedication Festival begins, followed by the purification ceremony, the food offering ceremony, the chief priest's prayer, the removal of offerings, and the chief priest's bow. Around 12:30, paper dolls and hina dolls are loaded onto the boats.
• Around 12:40, the boats are carried by worshippers to the site of the Hina Nagashi. From about 13:10, the Hina Nagashi Festival begins, with purification and prayers by the chief priest, and peach and rapeseed flowers are placed on the boats by shrine maidens. Around 13:20, as the climax, the white wooden boats are floated out to sea, and a fantastic scene unfolds as a thousand paper cranes are scattered by the shrine maidens.

Hina Nagashi is held at Awashima-jinja Shrine in Kada, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. The shrine is located near the tip of the Kada Peninsula in Wakayama City, with the beautiful Kada sea spreading out in front.

The ritual begins with the Hina Doll Dedication Festival in the shrine precincts, after which the boats are carried by worshippers to the Kada coast, where the Hina Nagashi is performed at sea. The sight of the boats moving across the water can be viewed from the Kada coast, attracting many spectators.

After writing wishes on the dolls and preparing them with the dolls, the white wooden boat filled with dolls purified at the main shrine quietly heads out to sea. The countless dolls stacked on the boat are pulled by a leading boat and head further out to sea.

The most beautiful moment is when a thousand paper cranes are scattered over the calm spring sea, creating a path to the land of the gods. The dolls, swaying with the waves, floating and sinking, appearing and disappearing among the waves, dressed in gorgeous golden and vermilion kimonos, look almost alive as they move across the sparkling sea.

Those who witness this scene experience a moment of clarity in their hearts—some join their hands in prayer, some compose haiku or tanka, some take photos, some stand in silence, and some are moved to tears. Each person's feelings flow toward the land of the gods.

Countless Japanese dolls and Ichimatsu dolls dedicated for memorial services are displayed throughout the precincts of Awashima-jinja Shrine. Other local toys such as Shigaraki raccoon dog figurines, beckoning cats, and Fukusuke dolls are also lined up, creating a unique scene that surprises visitors.

The most common way to access Awashima-jinja Shrine is about a 15–20 minute walk from Kada Station on the Nankai Electric Railway Kada Line. You can enjoy beautiful seaside scenery on the way from the station to the shrine.

• By Train: Transfer from the Nankai Main Line to the Kada Line and head to Kada Station. It takes about an hour from Osaka, and train travel is recommended for visiting.
• By Car: About 40 minutes from Hanwa Expressway 'Wakayama IC.' However, on March 3rd, the day of Hina Nagashi, car access is restricted, so please be sure to use public transportation on this day.

• Arrive Early: To secure a good viewing spot, it is recommended to arrive by around 11:00.
• Clothing: As it is along the coast, prepare clothing and hats for wind and rain.
• Camera: Don't forget your camera or smartphone to capture the beautiful scenes.
• Photography Etiquette: Be mindful not to disturb others; pay attention to flash use and tripod placement.
• Take Your Trash Home: Please be sure to take your trash home to protect the natural environment.

• Q: Is there a fee to participate in Hina Nagashi?
  A: No, you can watch for free.
• Q: Is photography allowed?
  A: Yes, you can take photos, but please refrain from using flash or loud voices so as not to disturb the ritual.
• Q: Is Hina Nagashi held even in the rain?
  A: Hina Nagashi is basically held regardless of the weather, but in case of severe weather, the content may be changed for safety reasons. Please check with the shrine in advance.
• Q: Can I bring my own hina dolls to float?
  A: No, only dolls that have been dedicated in advance will be floated.
• Q: Is there parking?
  A: Parking is limited, and on the day of the event, vehicle access is restricted, so please use public transportation.

Please check the official website for the latest information.

• Awashima-jinja Shrine Official Website: https://www.kada.jp/awashima/event/index.html