Photo/Illutration “Hina” dolls are displayed in front of the gate of Kakuoji temple in Katsuura, Chiba Prefecture, on Feb. 24. (Wataru Nakano)

KATSUURA, Chiba Prefecture—The Katsuura Big Hina Matsuri is under way here, dazzling tourists with massive displays of around 10,000 “hina” dolls donated from across Japan.

The dolls will be on display at various sites throughout the port city of Katsuura until the Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival) on March 3. The festival kicked off on Feb. 23.

At the main venue of Tomisakijinja shrine, roughly 1,800 figurines line the 60 stone steps.

Residents decorate the steps with the dolls every morning of the event and put them away at night.

On the first day of the event, photo panels were showcased instead of the dolls due to rain. However, the dolls were on display the following day.

An 81-year-old resident of Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, visited on Feb. 24 with her daughter and granddaughter, who lives in Tokyo.

“More than 10 years ago, when I came here with my granddaughter, we saw a panel display due to the rain. So, I was very impressed to see the (stone steps’) decoration today,” she said.

“I want to eat some famous Katsuura tantanmen before going home,” she added.

In Katsuura, roughly 600 hina dolls are sitting on a special tiered stand in front of the gate of Kakuoji temple near Tomisakijinja shrine and around 1,000 dolls are showcased at the Tona intersection on National Route 128.

Stores in the morning market also display hina dolls.

The event is expected to attract a total of 150,000 visitors and will run until March 3.

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