38,000 Dolls Farewelled at Tokyo Shrine

Oct 04, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Around 38,000 dolls, including traditional Japanese dolls and stuffed animals, were brought to Meiji Shrine in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward for the annual Doll Appreciation Festival, where visitors bid farewell to old and damaged dolls in a ceremony expressing gratitude for the years they had been cherished.

The event, now in its 38th year, is a longstanding tradition in which people bring dolls that have become worn out, broken, or are no longer needed to be ritually honored before being disposed of.

Shinto priests performed purification rituals for the dolls, while shrine maidens presented a traditional ceremonial dance as part of the proceedings.

The festival provides an opportunity for owners to express their appreciation for dolls that have played an important role in their lives, allowing them to say goodbye with gratitude rather than simply throwing them away.

The ceremony reflects a Japanese tradition of treating dolls and other cherished possessions with respect, recognizing the emotional connections people develop with objects over time.

Source: テレ東BIZ

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