Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Tsuwano Town Pottery Hina doll and Cherry bloosoms potter’s ware exhibition
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Kunst Hof Tsuwano (art gallery), Tsuwano Town, Shimane Pref. At the gallery, many potteries, whose themes are spring, will be displayed. Admission is free. For more information, contact Kunst Hof Tsuwano at 0856-72-0139.

Mouri Museum, Ohinasama exhibition
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Hofu Mouri Museum at Hofu City, Yamaguchi Pref. The hina dolls and miniture equipment from the Mouri family will be displayed. Admission for the museum is 700 yen for adults, 350 yen for junior high and elementary school students. Admission for the museum and garden is 1,000 yen for adults, 500 yen for junior high and elementary school students. For more information, contact the Mouri museum at 0835-22-0001.

Hagi Castle town’s old hina dolls
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the various places in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Pref. Approximately 1,000 hina dolls of the Hagi City residents will be displayed at the old families’ houses at Hagi City (the house of the Kubota, the house of Dr. Shusuke Aoki, etc.). At the final day of the exhibition (April 3), the nagashibina (paper dolls floated downriver) will be held. Admissions vary in the places, but the one day pass is available with 300 yen. For more information, contact the executive committee of “the Hagi Castle toan’s old hina dolls” at 0838-25-3139. URL: http://hagi-kankou.com/event/74/ (Japanese), http://hagi-kankou.com/for/en.pdf (English)

Yanai Hina meguri
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Furuichi Kanaya (white wall area) and Chuo (retro street) at Yanai City, Yamaguchi Pref. Approximately 20 stores or houses along with the retro street will display their hina dolls. Admission varys on the places; The house of the Kunimori : 200 yen for adults, 100 yen for children. Muroya-no-sono : 450 yen for adults, 350 yen for junior high and high school students, 300 yen for elementary school students. For more information, contact Mr Shigehiko Kunimori at 0820-22-8077.

Chohu Osagemono, Hina Matsuri Exhibition
9 a.m. – 4:40 p.m. at Chofu Mouri-tei (the house of the Mouri), Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Pref. This is the exhibition of the hand made sagemon (hanging hina doll) for momo-no-sekku. Admission is 200 yen for adult, 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students. For more information, contact Chohu Mori-tei (the house of the Mouri) at 083-245-8090.

Iwakuni Castle Town Ohinasama and Doll Exhibition
The opening time varys on the stores at Kintai Bridge area. Many old hina dolls from past generations at the castle town area will be displayed. For more information, contact “Iwakuni Sakura-no-kai” at 0827-41-2318.

Shimonoseki Heike Hina-nagashi (Floating paper dolls downriver)
1 – 2 p.m. at Akama Shrine at Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Pref. This is a Shinto ritual to commemorate the Heike Family, who perished utterly at the battle of Dan-no-ura, Shimonoseki City. After the Kyokusui no Utage (making-poetry party at the stream in a garden), the handmade hina dolls will be floated into the Kanmon Straits. This is the spring tradition in spring at Shimonoseki. Free of admission. For more information, contact Akama Shrine at 083-231-4138.

Runessa Nagato, Spring Thanks Festival
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Runessa Nagato, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Pref. The flea market, hina-doll exhibition, the performances of characters, etc. will be held. The hina doll exhibision will be held from March 3 – 24. For more information, contact Runessa Nagato at 0837-26-6001.

Miyajima Hina-meguri (Hina doll exhibition)
10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at various places at Miyajiama, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Pref. The herigtage hina dolls, which have been passed for long generations at marchants houses, old families, will be displayed at the various places at Miyajima. The Hina-meguri passport (the free pass for the Hina-meguri) can be purchased at the Miyajima pier or the exhibition places to go around the places. The passport is 300 yen per adult. For more information, contact wit Miyajima Tourist Association at 0829-44-2011. URL: http://www.miyajima.or.jp/english/index.html

Musha (Warrior) Experience at Kintai Area
Everyday (except Wednessday), till May 31, 11 a.m. – noon, at Yokoyama, Iwakuni City (Kintai area). 1,500 yen per person. Reservation 5 days in advance is required.
You can wear the armors, belonging to Iwakuni Teppo-tai (musket unit) Preservation Group, and take your own photo. There is a height restriction, but no age restriction. This is only armor wearing, no musket firing. To make a reservation, contact Mr. Sugiyama, Iwakuni Jitabi-no-kai (Travel Group) at 090-7898-5770.
URL: http://www.oidemase.or.jp/jiblog/index.php?itemid=4717

Matsue Dan-Dan-Shoku Festa (Food Festival)
At Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. This event is to enjoy the winter food in Shimane Pref., such as Matsuba-gani (crab), Shimane Beef, seafood from Shinji Lake. During February, you can enjoy these foods at “Dan-Dan Gochiso Ichiba (food stalls)” and “Dan-Dan Fair” at the various places at Matsue City.
For more information, contact the executive committee of Matue Dan-Dan Festa at 0852-27-5843. URL: http://www.plusvalue.co.jp/dandan/

Mojiko Retro’s Blow Fish, lantern, and Hina Doll Festival
At Mojiko Retro, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Pref. This event is to promote the tourism of Moji Port in winter, and its theme is “Hospitarity with lantern and tasty”. During the event period, the event area will be lighten up with the big blow fish lantern, the tree illumination, etc. Along with that, sake-hopping event and blow fish fair will be held.
For more information, contact Moji Port Tourism Office at 093-321-6110, or Mojiko Retro General Information at 093-321-4151. URL: http://www.mojiko.info/

Hatsukaichi City Jigozen Oyseter Charity Bazar
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Jigozen Fishery Harbor. For more information, contact the Jigozen Fishery Association at 0829-36-1214.

Erhu concert by Miki Imai
2 p.m. at the Shunan City Culture Hall. Erhu is a 2-stringed Chinese instrument played with a bow. Free of admission.
For more information, contact Shunan City Culture Hall at 0834-22-8787.

U.S. - Japan Friendship Concert in Iwakuni
From 2 p.m. (doors open at 1 p.m.) at the concert hall, Shinfonia Iwakuni. Free of admission. For more in formation, contact Chugoku Shikoku Defense Bureau at 082-223-7153.

Hagi Fugu Matusri (Blow Fish Festival)
From 10 a.m. at Hagi Sea Mart, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Pref. The peak of fugu (blow fish) fishing is from February to April at Hagi area, and the event is to promote blow fish in Hagi. The programs in the event are sale of blow fish and its products. Admission is free, but bring enough Japanese yen for shopping.
For more information, contact Hagi City Fisheries Division at 0838-25-4195 or Hagi Sea Mart at 0838-24-4937.

Shinshu Matsuri 2013 (New Brew of Sake Festival)
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Yoikigen Co., Soja City, Okayama Pref. Free of admission.
The event includes the sale of new brew of sake, the tour to observe inside of brewery, and tasting sakes. Along with them, the mini-concert, food stalls are held too. For more information, contact Yoikigen Co., at 0826-94-0011. URL : http://www.yoikigen.co.jp/

Musashi & Kojiro’s Battle at Gnaryu Island
Every Satuardays, Sundays, and Japanese Holidays during March 23 – June 23 (except May 3 and 4). 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. On April 13, 1612, Musashi Miyamoto fought a duel with Kojiro Sasaki on Ganryu Island, in Shimonoseki. A short play about this famous duel between Musashi and Kojiro is being performed at the seaside stage, Kamon Warf Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Free of admission and no reservation is necessary.
For more information, contact Shimonoseki City Tourism Office at 083-231-1350. URL: http://www.city.shimonoseki.yamaguchi.jp/kanko/event.html http://www.city.shimonoseki.yamaguchi.jp/kanko/ganryujima/sungeki/index.html

Kamoitsuha Kura Matsuri (Brewer Festival)
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Tagohonke Brewery Products Co., Tsuyama City, Okayama Pref. Free of admission. The event includes the sale of new brew of sake, the tour to observe inside of brewery, and creating your own label for sake bottles. The kids’ corner and parking is available.
For more information, contact Tagohonke Brewery Products Co. at 0868-29-1111. URL: http://www.tsuyamabeer.co.jp/

Akaiwa Brewing Inc. Kura-biraki (the opening of a storehouse for the first time in the year)
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Akaiwa Brewing Inc., Akaiwa City, Okayama Pref. The event includes the tasting and sale of new brewered sake and the sake cakes, mini concert, sale of food (yakisoba, udon, etc.).
For more information, contact Akaiwa Brewing at 086-955-0130. URL : http://momonosato.info/

Ingrid Fuzjko Hemming Piano Recital 2013
7 p.m. at Shunan Cultural Hall. The admission is 12,000 yen for SS seats, 10,000 yen for S seats, 8,000 yen for A seats, 6,000 yen for B seats. Preschoolers are barred from the concert. For more information, contact Shunan Cultural hall at 0834-22-8787.

26th National Confectionary Exposition in Hiroshima
Weekdays 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday, Sunday, Japanese Holidays (4/29, 5/3 - 5) 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM (The final day, May 12 is until 5:00 PM)
At grounds of the Former Hiroshima Municipal Baseball Stadium, Hiroshima Prefectural Sports Center and surrounding areas (Next to Sogo Department store.) Admission is 2,000 yen for those 18 or older. National Confectionary Exposition is the biggest exhibition of confectionary industry, such as Japanese confectionary, western confectionary, and snacks, in Japan. This exhibition is held in every four to five years (irregular) at cities around Japan.
For more information, contact 26th National Confectionary Exposition in Hiroshima Executive Committee Secretariat at 082-502-2838. For ticket information, call 082-511-1611 (Management Center for Ticket Sales). URL: http://www.kashihaku2013.jp/en/