EMU Izukyu 2100 series (left) and EMU JR East 185 series (right)
March 3rd was Hina-matsuri, the Doll's Festival for girls. In this season in Japan, families with girls display a set of dolls in ancient court costumes and pray for their girls' growth and happiness. It is believed that the dolls protect girls from sickness or ill-fortune.
Hina-matsuri of Ito City in Shizuoka Prefecture is no exception. I recently visited there with my family. The local people hold festivals in each household and area. Magaribina is one of the famous areal events in the city. People in Monomigaoka area bring their dolls, which they no longer use in their households, to the local temple, Butsugen-ji. The dolls are then displayed on the 118 stone steps in front of the temple. It is very beautiful.
To get to this festival city, the nearest station is Ito on the JR East Ito and Izukyu lines. It takes about one hour and forty minutes from Tokyo station by limited express train. On my way back home, I was able to take a photo of the JR East's limited express train, "Odoriko" (EMU 185 series), and Izukyu's Kurofune Train (EMU 2100 series) on the Ito line. The 185 series is an old limited express train developed by Japanese National Railways in 1981; meanwhile, the 2100 series is a sightseeing train developed by Izukyu in 1990. According to JR East, the EMU 185 series will be replaced by the EMU E257 series soon, so my photo will be precious in the future.
Magaribina event is held in Ito City