Hinamatsuri ‘Girls’ festival’

March 3rd is Hirnamatsuri or the doll’s festival in Japan. It is also called “Momo no Sekku”, which means “Peach Festival.” It is an occasion to pray for young girls’ growth and happiness. Most families with girls display dolls. Peach flowers, cake cubes (hina arare) and diamond-shaped rice cakes(hishimochi) are displayed together. Modern families celebrate the day by eating sushi-dishes and Shirozake (rice wine). By the way, May 5th is the boy’s festival in Japan.