Hyakudan Hina Matsuri

The Hyakudan Hina Matsuri event, collating traditional dolls collected from prosperous Edo era houses along the rolling Nogami River, proved so popular in 2010 that it returns in expanded form for a 2011 appearance. 63,000 people flocked to the event last year, numbers that may swell following the inclusion of dolls collected from Edo era strongholds such as Tsuruoka, Sakata and Kabokucho. Worth a visit if dolls appeal, as this event allows you to get up close and inspect relics that date back to a golden era in Japanese refinement.