What are "Chuma Hina Dolls"?

Chuma Hina Dolls are traditional hina dolls on display in the households and shops along the historic townscape of Asuke in Toyota City. What sets the dolls apart is the way they are displayed in the entries and foyers of those houses and establishments for all to see. As a stop along the historic Chuma Kaido Road, connecting the Mikawa Bay to the more mountainous regions in the north, Asuke has always been a destination for travelers, and this custom began as a means to entertain travelers as they walked through the town and continues to be a big event in the area.

Just what is "Chuma", anyway?

You may see of hear the phrase "Chuma" around Asuke. During the Edo period, people made livings transporting freight on horseback. "Chuma" began as the name for the union couriers' horses, and then became the general term to refer to the actual people hauling goods to and fro along the Ina Kaido Road (also known as the Ida Kaido Road), which was integral in supplying the northern mountains with salt.
As so many Chuma transporters used the road, it came to be referred to as the Chuma Kaido, or Chuma Road. Asuke was located midway through the Chuma Kaido Road, and thanks to the Chuma couriers, the important commodity of salt created in the Mikawa Bay was able to be carried into the mountains of Nagano while mountain crops like rice and tobacco grown there could be brought down to the bay area.

Event info

Gando
The custom of "Gando" has lived on in Asuke since antiquity. On the day of the Hina Doll Festival, children go to different houses in their neighborhood asking to see that household's hina dolls. Not only do the children get to see the beautiful dolls but they also receive Japanese confections in the Gando custom. The Japanese confectioneries below stay true to the custom and offer sweets.
• Date: Sat, Feb 8, 2025
• Applicable ages: Elementary school ages and younger (on a first-come, first-served basis for the first 100 children to come to the shops below)
• Participating shops: Ryoguchiya, Katoya, and Kawamuraya

Shinta Town Gando
Receive a coupon at the Shinta Town Community Center and submit it at the Suzuman Hompo shop for a treat (coupon valid the day it is received only).
• Dates and time: From 10:00 am on Sun, Feb 9; Sun, Feb 16; Sun, Feb 23; Sun, Mar 2; and Sun, Mar 9, 2025
• Applicable ages: Elementary school ages and younger (up to 50 children on a first-come, first-served basis each day)

Earthenware doll painting demonstration and experience
Paint your own animal doll with acrylic paints as you watch Mikawa Ohama earthenware doll artist Toru Negita work his magic before your eyes.
Preschool children must be accompanied by a guardian. Approximately half an hour to one hour is required.
• Dates: Sat, Feb 15; Sat, Feb 22; Sun, Feb 23; Sat, Mar 1; Sun, Mar 2; Sat, Mar 8; and Sun, Mar 9, 2025
• Demonstration time: 10:00 am–4:00 pm (various sessions throughout)
• Experience time: 10:00 am–3:00 pm (Reception until 2:30 pm. No reservation required.)
• Price: JPY 1,000/doll
• Location: Former Taguchi Residence

Note:
• Select the doll you will paint from an assortment of animals (hina dolls not available).

Japanese Paper Branch and Flower Craft Workshop
Sculptor Yuri Urano guides you in creating the Japanese craft of plum blossoms normally made from mochi and added to tree branches, but this time, with Japanese paper attached to bamboo branches.
• Dates: Sat, Feb 8; Sat, Feb 15; Sat, Feb 22; Sun, Feb 23; Wed, Feb 26; Sat, Mar 1; Sun, Mar 2; and Sat, Mar 8, 2025
• Experience time: 10:00 am–4:00 pm (Reception until 3:00 pm. No reservation required.)
• Price: JPY 500 for children / JPY 1,000 for adults
• Location: Yamadaya (Shin Town)

Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings Stamp Hunt × Hina Dolls
The Former Suzuki Residence, Former Taguchi Residence, and Asuke Chumakan History Museum located in the Asuke townscape have stamps set out. Get all three stamps at the respective locations for an original sparkling sticker!
• Dates: Every Sun during the event period

Chuma Hina Doll Stamp Hunt
Shop, eat, and collect stamps at shops along the Asuke shopping street participating in a stamp hunt for an original hina doll lapel pin present (available to 30 participants on weekdays and 50 participants on weekends on a first-come, first-served basis).
• Date: Every day during the event period

Marching Band Performance
TOYOTA Illusion Magic—Toyota City's junior marching band—offers a musical performance at the Former Province Headquarters Site.
• Date and time: From 1:00 pm; Sun, Feb 16, 2025 (canceled should rainy weather occur)
• Location: Former Province Headquarters Site

Asuke Junior High School Brass Band Performance
Enjoy a musical performance by Asuke Junior High School's brass band.
• Date and times: From 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm; Sat, Mar 8, 2025 (postponed to the following day should rainy weather occur)
• Location: Former Province Headquarters Site

Toyota Otani High School Dance Performance
Talented high school students winning the LOVE Dan High School Dance Video Fest 2024 perform incredible dances before your eyes.
• Date and times: From 11:00 am; Sat, Mar 1, 2025
• Location: Former Province Headquarters Site

Yosakoi Dance Performance
Watch the dazzling 20th performance by Chukyo University's Hachimae Troupe.
• Date and times: From 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm on Sat, Mar 8, 2025 (canceled should rainy weather occur)
• Location: Former Province Headquarters Site

Sanshu Asuke Taiko Drum Performance
Let your spirit move to the thundering pounds of taiko drums.
• Date and times: From 1:00 pm on Sun, Mar 9, 2025 (canceled should rainy weather occur)
• Location: Former Province Headquarters Site

Olden-time marching band parade
Let four odd, olden-time musical groups using eccentric instruments bring a smile to your face.
• Dates and time: From 10:00 am on Sat, Feb 15; Mon, Feb 24 (national holiday); Sat, Mar 1; and Sun, Mar 2, 2025