Kansai · WakayamaSeasonal
On Girls’ Day, hundreds of ceremonial dolls are set adrift from a seaside shrine that safeguards more than a thousand of them.
Overview
Awashima Shrine in the coastal town of Kada is famous for its collection of over a thousand dolls, offered from across Japan by people praying for women’s health, safe childbirth and fertility. Each March 3, on the Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival), the shrine holds Hina Nagashi, sending dolls out to sea aboard small wooden boats. It is a quietly moving ritual that turns a national holiday into a distinctive local spectacle.
When & Where
The ceremony takes place on March 3, 2026, at Kada Awashima Shrine on the coast of Wakayama City. Proceedings begin around midday with a purification rite before the dolls are launched. Nearest station: Kada on the Nankai Kada Line, a short distance from the shrine.
Getting There
From central Wakayama, take the Nankai Kada Line to Kada Station, then walk or take a short local bus to the shrine near the harbour. Wakayama City is reachable from Osaka in about an hour on the Nankai Main Line, making this a feasible day trip for visitors based in Kansai.
What to Expect
After the chief priest performs a purification, dolls dressed in scarlet and yellow kimono are placed with paper dolls carrying written wishes onto three white boats. The boats are then set adrift, symbolically carrying away misfortune and impurity. The sight of the laden boats drifting on the sunlit sea is the emotional centre of the day, echoing ancient purification customs.
Tickets & Access
Viewing the ceremony is free from the shrine grounds and shore. No tickets or reservations are required. The shrine’s doll halls are worth exploring before or after the ritual; a modest offering is customary. Paths near the water can be uneven, so wear sturdy shoes.
Tips for Visitors
Arrive before noon to secure a clear view of the launch. Early March is still chilly by the sea, so dress warmly. The doll-filled shrine is photogenic but treat it respectfully, as the dolls represent heartfelt prayers rather than decoration.
Access and Map
| Dates | March 3, 2026 (ceremony from around midday) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Kada Awashima Shrine, Kada, Wakayama City |
| Access | Short walk or bus from Kada Station (Nankai Kada Line); approx. 1 hr from Osaka to Wakayama |
| Admission | Free |
| Official site | Visit Wakayama (Wakayama Tourism Federation) |
Source: Visit Wakayama (Wakayama Tourism Federation)
Image: Photo: Bakkai at Japanese Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
