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Hinamatsuri 2023 at Keio Plaza Hotel
Hinamatsuri 2023 was a big event at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku. If you didn’t know, this festival is big in Japan. It’s celebrated on March 3. It is the perfect opportunity to experience Japanese culture. By the way, I haven’t told you what it is! Do you know anything about it?
What is Hinamatsuri?
The festival is especially popular with families. On the day, they pray for their daughters’ healthy growth, prosperity, and happiness. It is especially popular for girls ten or younger.
It’s quite simple. Hina dolls are placed on a tiered platform. They wear traditional Japanese clothing. The figures are the emperor, empress, and other Heian-period imperial court members. Miniature furniture and other accessories are also included.
Why do photographers like Hinamatsuri?
For photography, the Hina dolls are excellent subjects for stunning and artistic images. You can experiment with various angles, lighting, and composition. That will showcase the details of the dolls and the beauty of the display.
In addition, the festival atmosphere provides ample opportunities for candid shots. Tokyo has events attended by families and children dressed in kimonos. Well, that didn’t happen for me at Keio Plaza Hotel, but it happens at other places.
Hinamatsuri 2023 at Keio Plaza Hotel
The Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku puts on a great doll display every year. And 2023, was no exception. The photos hopefully give you some idea. But I had one complaint.
Usually, the emperor and empress are clearly visible in the display. This year, it was different. They had many dolls in front of them! That meant you couldn’t directly photograph the two main characters! And from the front, many shadows were on them, destroying the chance for any photo from that angle. I settled for a side shot.
I had to wiggle my camera around to see them. How I wish I had taken a long zoom lens with me. But using that in a hotel might have seemed ridiculous to onlookers!
Anyway, leave your questions and comments below. And if you went to Hinamatsuri 2023 at Keio Plaza Hotel, tell me about it. I’d love to hear about your experiences.
For more Hinamatsuri articles, look at:
External website articles about Hinamatsuri
- The Doll Festival on Consulate General of Japan website in New York