Ōtsu Tour: Visiting Hina Doll Displays in Early Spring | Itineraries

Visit Ōtsu in early spring to see the beautiful Hina dolls.

In early spring, Hina doll exhibitions are held at various locations throughout Ōtsu.
This course allows you to admire a variety of Hina dolls, ranging from the Edo period to the present day, while also enjoying visits to popular temples, seasonal gourmet food, the history of Ōtsu, and strolls through the countryside.

Tips for getting around

Travel by private car or rental car is recommended

Route

Day 1

Saikyo-ji Temple (Hina Doll Exhibition)
Lunch: "Hina Gozen" at Saikyo-ji Temple
Zeze-yaki Museum (Edo Period Hina Dolls)
Kanou Shoujuan Sunai-no-Sato (Hina Doll Exhibition)

Day 1

10:30

① Saikyo-ji Temple (Hina Doll Exhibition)

Saikyo-ji Temple, one of the three head temples of the Tendai sect in Japan, is said to have been founded by Prince Shotoku.
The temple's Hina doll exhibition features approximately 500 dolls collected through doll memorial services.
Among them are rare dolls from the Edo period and those with unique regional characteristics.
*A doll memorial service (Ningyo Kuyo) will be held on Monday, March 3.

Hina Doll Exhibition

Location: 5-13-1 Sakamoto, Otsu City, Shiga 520-0113

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Venue: Saikyo-ji Temple
Event Period: Saturday, February 7 – Sunday, March 8, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Admission Fees: Adults: 500 yen (450 yen for groups of 20 or more)
URL: Official Website

11:30

② Lunch: "Hina Gozen" at Saikyo-ji Temple

After viewing the dolls, enjoy the limited-time "Hina Gozen," a seasonal seven-dish meal featuring chirashi-zushi, bamboo shoots, and canola blossoms. *Reservation required.
(Image is for illustrative purposes. Contents are subject to change.)

Saikyo-ji Temple Dining Hall

Location: Within the grounds of Saikyo-ji Temple, 5-13-1 Sakamoto, Otsu City, Shiga 520-0113

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Business Hours: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Admission Fees: 2,200 yen (tax included)
Reservation: Required
Phone Number: 077-578-0013

Approx. 20 minutes by car

14:00

③ Zeze-yaki Museum (Edo Period Hina Dolls)

Hina dolls from the Edo period (Meiwa and An'ei eras, approx. 250 years ago) through the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods will be on display. Please enjoy them alongside the museum's collection of tea ceremony utensils.

Edo Period Hina Doll Exhibition

Location: 1-22-28 Nakasho, Otsu City, Shiga 520-0837

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Venue: Zeze-yaki Museum
Event Period: Saturday, February 21 – Tuesday, March 3, 2026
*Open daily during the exhibition period
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed: Year-end/New Year holidays (Dec 26, 2025 – Jan 9, 2026), Mondays and Tuesdays (Open on Feb 24 (Tue), Mar 2 (Mon), and Mar 3 (Tue))
Admission Fees: Adults: 1,000 yen / University & High School Students: 600 yen / Junior High Students and younger: Free
Includes matcha green tea and Japanese sweets.
URL: Official Website

Approx. 30 minutes by car

15:00

④ Kanou Shoujuan Sunai-no-Sato (Hina Doll Exhibition)

At Kanou Shoujuan Sunai -no-Sato , located in the hills of southern Otsu, approximately 120 precious dolls collected by the founder—centered on Kyoho-bina—are on display along with their accessories and tools. The "Plum Festival" is also held during the same period. Enjoy a stroll through the vast grounds filled with the scent of plum blossoms and look for souvenirs.