Photo/Illutration Tomisakijinja shrine is crowded with visitors who came to see the dolls in Katsuura, Chiba Prefecture, on Feb. 26. (Shinnosuke Ito)

KATSUURA, Chiba Prefecture--Thousands of dolls are on display here for the upcoming Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival) that is celebrated across Japan on March 3.

The big event is called the Katsuura Big Doll Festival, with about 7,000 dolls displayed around the city.

The festival was held after three years of being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with visitors hailing its return.

“I feel like spring has come for the first time in four years,” one resident said.

Tomisakijinja shrine in the center of the city has about 1,800 dolls on display, with the figurines lined up along the 60 stone steps within the grounds.

During the festival, residents decorate the steps with the dolls every morning, except on rainy days, and put them away at night.

Motoko Ikeda, 78, who runs a soft-serve ice cream store near Tomisakijinja, has helped decorate the shrine with the dolls since 2001, when the event was held for the first time.

“I want people to come to Katsuura during this season when Kawazu cherry blossoms are in full bloom and bonito fish are delicious,” she said.

The festival will run until March 3.

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