Hinamatsuri: What’s on the Menu for Girls’ Day?
Have you ever heard of Hinamatsuri, also known as Girls’ Day in Japan? Let’s dive into what this day is all about and, of course, the festive foods that come with it!
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What is Hinamatsuri?
Hinamatsuri, or the Doll’s Festival, is a special day celebrated on March 3rd every year to wish girls good health and happiness.
Families with daughters set up beautiful displays of hina dolls dressed in traditional Heian-era clothing. These dolls aren’t just for decoration—they’re believed to protect girls and bring them good fortune (see our hina dolls below)! The celebration also includes special foods that are colorful, delicate, and full of meaning.
Traditional Hinamatsuri Foods
Hinamatsuri is all about cheerful and festive foods! Here are some traditional foods commonly enjoyed on Girls’ Day:
Chirashi Sushi: This vibrant and festive sushi dish is made with vinegared rice and topped with colorful ingredients. Sushi is often eaten on special occasions, and chirashi sushi, with its beautiful presentation, is perfect for celebrating Hinamatsuri and wishing for girls’ health and happiness!
Hina Arare (left): These small, crispy rice crackers are a must-have for Hinamatsuri! They come in four colors—pink, white, yellow, and green—each representing the four seasons. Slightly sweet and fun to eat, they add a festive touch to the celebration.
Hishi Mochi (right): A traditional diamond-shaped rice cake with three layers: pink, white, and green. Each color has a special meaning—pink for protection from evil, white for purity, and green for health.
Shirozake & Amazake: Shirozake is a sweet, fermented rice drink traditionally enjoyed during Hinamatsuri. However, since it contains alcohol, children usually drink amazake, a non-alcoholic, lightly sweet rice drink.
What We Eat on Hinamatsuri
Here’s our Hinamatsuri dinner! The main dish is chirashi sushi, and I added some colorful side dishes, including my daughter’s favorite, konnyaku nimono.
From the top left:
It was a bright and festive meal that we all enjoyed!
Our Anpanman Hina Dolls 🎎
Our Hina dolls are not traditional—they are Anpanman, adorable Japanese characters! My mother, who is incredibly skilled at crafting and quilting, made them especially for her granddaughter!
Curious to try these delicious dishes for yourself? Check out my other Japanese recipes and bring a taste of Japan to your table!
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