This article was written as of March 2021. Please contact the store for details.

This time, I visited Kotobukiya Jukogura, one of the venues for the hinafestival.

Let’s go see the Hinafestival decorations at Numori no Yado!

The hina dolls are displayed in the tatami room of Numori no Yado, an old private house quietly located next to Kotobukiya’s store.

At the entrance, there is a “Numori Cafe” sign.

The store and Numori Cafe are connected by a passageway inside. You can also enter from the store.

The hina dolls are displayed in this tatami room.

Excuse me!

I feel that the “red” of the scarlet carpet is the color of the dolls. Gorgeous atmosphere♪

It is a bit chilly inside the old house, so you might want to warm up during this time of the year.

Various hina dolls with different faces and sizes welcomed us with peaceful expressions.

Hina dolls from the Taisho and Showa eras. The Taisho period is said to be roughly 100 years ago.

Here is another Taisho and the next is a doll from the Meiji era.

It is truly amazing that these dolls from 100 years ago remain in such a beautiful condition, isn’t it?

Numori no Yado exhibits about 10 magnificent hina dolls that give visitors a sense of history, including hina dolls from old families in Higashine City and hina dolls from the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras from relatives in neighboring cities, towns, and villages.

So they are precious objects that have been carefully passed down and kept by each family.

It is impressive that the costumes are massive and the accessories are very elaborate.

I wondered if the different sizes had something to do with the housing conditions of the time, as well as the variety.

I had to take a picture because my eyes met with one of the five musicians. What a calm and beautiful face.

These dolls are the younger sisters of Kotobukiya’s predecessor president and current chairman.

Their faces are small and beautiful♪ They look gorgeous against the golden folding screen.

These are Kyoho Hina dolls that have been handed down in the Takeda family of Ginmachi, Higashine City, the family home of the proprietress of Kotobukiya, for about 280 to 300 years.

They have been handed down since the Edo period (1603-1868), and were found in the storehouse around 2011!

The characteristic of Kyoho Hina is “the bulge of the kimono at the feet”. If you ask me, the feet of the hina dolls are round and bulging.

The slightly orange-tinged costumes are dyed with safflower.

Safflower dyeing is an industry that flourished in many parts of Yamagata Prefecture in the past.

Even today, there are many places where you can experience it. It is impressive that so many colors of kimonos dyed in the Edo period still remain.

I was wondered, “How unusual to see a bearded Emperor (Odairi-sama) ,” but in fact, it seems that this was not drawn from the beginning but was added by someone else!

I wonder when it was painted and by whom… It makes my imagination soar and I wonder if anyone was offended by it (lol).

There is also another tatami room with dolls on display.

There is a quiz in the middle of the room, so please try them!

As well as the number of them, there were real varieties to see! Very satisfying in my opinion.

In fact, there are many more photos that I could not include here.

I hope those who read this article will actually visit and experience the atmosphere of an old house!

Tea at Numori no Yado as an old private house cafe

Resting at Numori Cafe, which was another pleasure♪

Can you feel the warmth that is unique to an old house cafe?

There is also a irori (sunken hearth), which gives visitors a sense of stepping back in time.

The cafe is spacious and comfortable with high ceilings.

The staff who accompanied me and I wondered “Which one shall we order? Finally, I ordered “Akanehime Umedama Cider”.

Beautiful color. A bit like a cocktail.

This cider contains my favorite “Akanehime” and tastes like the sweetness of plums melted right into it.

The staff ordered the Fluffy Matcha Amazake.

The fluffy top part of the matcha amazake was slightly sweet and pleasant to the palate, with a slight smell of matcha.

This amazake is made by Kotobukiya with only koji and glutinous rice. This is really delicious.

I actually ordered this the next day when I visited!

*Price as of March 2021.

*Price as of March 2021.

*Price as of March 2021.

*Price as of March 2021.

*Price as of March 2021.

Currently, they only offer drinks, but the menu is as follows.

There are many drinks that you can only get at this place! You can also take out♪

I appreciate that the prices are all reasonable.

“Akanehime’s Cider” is 300 yen, although it was difficult to see due to the light.

I heard that last year was a difficult time, with some stores closing due to the coronavirus and trying their best to offer take-out services.

It seems that they are still selling through online shops.

Large “Akanehime”. I have been a fan since I received it as a gift a few years ago.
I sometimes buy them and enjoy them as a snack with green tea.
They are not sour like pickled plums at all, but have a mildly sweet taste.

Kotobukiya Jukogura also offers a wide variety of pickles and local sake.

After viewing the hina decorations, you can enjoy tea at Numori Cafe or shop at the store.

Hina decorations will be on display from February 14 (Sun) to April 3 (Sat), from 10:00 to 16:00.

You can also try your hand at making your own original wooden tag (tori-fuda) from the Hyakunin Isshu (one hundred poems) using Edo chirimen (chirimen made in Edo). (Reservations required for a minimum of 5 people.)
The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and costs 500 yen (as of March 2021).

Admission is free and open year-round.

Click here for Kotobukiya Jukogura’s website!

※The photographs were taken with special permission.