Enjoy: Hinamatsuri 雛祭り🎎Girl's Day🍑Festival at beautiful Hokkekyo-ji Temple!

Celebrate the Hinamatsuri (雛祭り) Girl's Day Festival with a refreshing, possibly spiritually uplifting walk around big, beautiful & historic Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji temple on Sunday, March 1st!

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Located in Ichikawa & Funabashi, not far from Tokyo, Hokkekyo-ji temple has one of the finest displays of Ohina dolls in the Kanto area!
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We'll walk up along the "sando", (sacred road) to the temple, past traditional Japanese-sweets, gift, flower shops, vendors of crackers & other traditional goodies we may view & purchase. (Great stuff!)
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This historic 900-year old temple complex with gorgeous buildings is set in a beautiful valley filled with plum, cherry, peach & other flowering trees, such as early blooming Sakura!
The sky may be very blue, the air cool & very fresh at Nakayama!
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We'll explore the ancient temple grounds, see the amazing Ohina displays, then hike up to the wonderful, "Inner" temple, where "Saint" Nichiren-shonin took refuge from his enemies. There is a bronze dragon at the top of tall rocks there who spews water in a dramatic torrent which falls into a pool at the feet of Benzaiten, Goddess of Eloquence!
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Other cultural treasures we'll visit include the Great Buddha, Benten-do, Hokkedo Hall, Five Story Pagoda, Yotsuashi-mon gate and Soshi-do Hall.
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We may also stop to enjoy an antique shop & visit the wonderful Concorde Bakery Shop up the hill from the main temple where we can stop for a late lunch, or snacks and drinks.🥐🍕🍰
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-d1314356?m=55593
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CULTURE & HISTORY:
"Hinamatsuri (雛祭り) festival takes place each year on March 3rd. It is also sometimes called the “Peach Tree Festival” or “Girls’ Day/Girls’ Festival”, a day to pray for the health, happiness, and good luck for
young girls in the family.
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Usually celebrated by setting up a display of exquisite dolls called,
"Ohina-ningyō" (雛人形), dressed in beautiful clothes in the style of the Heian Period (平安時代). These displays range in size from one pair of dolls up to a full set that includes seven shelves, 15 dolls, and numerous accessories. Historically, displaying the full set has been preferable, the space & set up time & the cost (I!ve seen just parts of a set selling for over $1000) many people display only the topmost tier."
At Hokekyo-ji, we'll see several large & unique O-Hina displays!
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The festival has roots in the Hina-nagashi (雛流し) doll floating festival dating from the Heian era. (794 to 1185)
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Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji Temple: This temple in Chiba Prefecture belongs to Nichiren sect. Established by the famous monk Nichiren Daishonin, who lived during Kamakura Period (1185-1333) this temple hosts one of Three Kishimojin Goddesses.
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Many people who pray for safe childbirth, delivery from illnesses and business prosperity visit here. Within the temple you can find works by Nichiren such as “Establishing the Correct teaching for the Peace of the Land (Rissho Ankoku Ron)” & “The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind (Kanjin-no Honzon-sho)”,which are both designated as National Treasures!
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SEE: http://www.dentalofficesjapan.net/nakayama-hokekyoji-temple.html#hokekyouji-hinamatsuri
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GOOD TO KNOW:
Since both JR SOBU Rapid Blue & SOBU Local Yellow trains stop at JR Ichikawa station, it's convenient for us to meet there, then take a local train to Nakayama. (Ichikawa is just 19 minutes from JR Akihabara station!)
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NOTE: If you prefer to take the Keisei Line from Nippori, Ueno, or Aoto, get off at Keisei-Nakayama Station. We'll meet you there above the station, beside the road around 10:30. (PLEASE let us know in advance IF you'll be arriving at the Keisei Station!)
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NOTE: The Ohina festival is free, but we work VERY hard to plan interesting events and to guide you to the very best places, so please give generously!
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There's no set Meetup fee, but your donations of from￥1000 -￥3000 are much appreciated!
(NOTE: If you patronize Starbucks, or Tully's, you can afford￥3000!)
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KIDS are WELCOME & free to join with a parent!
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Please bring your smile, grippy walking shoes, snacks & a beverage. (Bring a lunch if you like, but we will stop at the wonderful CONCORDE bakery up the hill around 1:00-1:30 for tasty cakes, sandwiches, pizza & more before proceeding to the Dragon Temple!)
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We look forward to seeing you & hope you!ll invite your friends to join in this unique experience of traditional Japanese culture!
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Thanks! Your organizer, Kerry D. 💖