Dedicated to women's health and protection, Awashima Jinja in Wakayama is famous for its astonishing sea of traditional dolls and folk figurines left by worshippers. The grounds overflow with an eerie yet captivating assortment of hina ningyo, daruma, maneki-neko, and tanuki statues, reflecting the deep-rooted belief that dolls hold living spirits. Every year on March 3rd for the Nagashi Bina festival, miniature boats carrying dolls are released into the ocean to wash away bad luck and illness. It offers an unforgettable, surreal glimpse into Japanese folklore and spiritual rituals.
- Shrines
- Shinto
- Dolls
- Folklore
- Traditional Culture
- Festivals
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