{"id":11241,"date":"2022-02-27T18:46:29","date_gmt":"2022-02-27T09:46:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/?p=11241"},"modified":"2026-02-28T16:47:45","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T07:47:45","slug":"hina-dolls-history-semba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/2022\/02\/27\/hina-dolls-history-semba\/","title":{"rendered":"Treasure-hunting for hina dolls and history in Osaka&#8217;s business district"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In case you don\u2019t have your own Hina Dolls at home, or even if you do, the Spring Semba Expo is a fantastic way to celebrate <a href=\"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/2021\/03\/02\/japanese-hinamatsuri\/\">Hina Matsuri<\/a> aka Dolls Day aka Girls\u2019 Day in Osaka. For this special occasion in early March, doll sets from wealthy families from the Semba area are on display in the modern corporate buildings and historic architecture of this important business district in Osaka. The event and venues change yearly, so be sure to check the official details for when and where this year&#8217;s Hina dolls will be on display!<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 10px; border-radius: 0px; background: #f7f7f7;\">\n<h2 style=\"color: #FF3345; margin: 10px 0 0;\">\uff3bContents\uff3d<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#anchor1\">Senba history and background<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#anchor2\">Historic architecture, Hina dolls, &#038; the families who owned them<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#anchor3\">Special performances, drinks, &#038; more<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#anchor4\">2026 Semba Doll Expo details<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"anchor1\" style=\"color: #FF3345;\">\u25a0Senba history and background<\/h2>\n<p>The Semba area (also written Senba) has its roots in the castle town that emerged west of Osaka Castle in the 16th century. The area has long been central to Osaka commerce and has a deep history and bustling streets that are lots of fun to explore.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22480-e1645954864117.jpg\" alt=\"Hina dolls from the 1930's, children in kimono play with dolls in black and white photo\" width=\"800\" height=\"614\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11270\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Of course, most of the merchant houses and historic buildings have been lost to time or demolished to build the huge skyscrapers that tower overhead. However, the neighborhood remains vibrant and full of culture. Mixed among corporate buildings, you will find historic sights, and small monuments to the regions forbearers and their accomplishments. Although Semba is very much a business district, there are a handful of shrines and temples dotting the streets, plus so many elegant restaurants and cafes where you can relax and refresh while you learn about Osaka\u2019s history and admire the hina dolls.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"anchor2\" style=\"color: #FF3345;\">\u25a0Historic architecture, hina dolls, &#038; the families who owned them<\/h2>\n<p>Please note that the hina doll displays and venues vary from year to year, so what you see during your visit may be different. Below are some of the doll sets and venues that participated in the 2023 Semba Doll Exhibition. I hope this gives you an idea of what you will be able to see if you visit this year!<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"color: #786E66;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/spot\/ikoma-building\/\">\u25cfIkoma Building<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22422-e1645952771808.jpg\" alt=\"Ikoma building, Japanese architecture from the 1930's, retro architecture Osaka\" width=\"1107\" height=\"1115\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22422-e1645952771808.jpg 1107w, https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22422-e1645952771808-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22422-e1645952771808-768x774.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22422-e1645952771808-140x140.jpg 140w, https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22422-e1645952771808-45x45.jpg 45w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1107px) 100vw, 1107px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Ikoma family began their watchmaking business in 1870 and with their successes they were able to construct this gorgeous brick building in 1930. The <a href=\"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/spot\/ikoma-building\/\">building<\/a> itself is a registered cultural property and while the upper floors are office space, the 1st floor lobby is open to visitors. There is also a cafe serving alcohol and caffeinated beverages. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22419-e1645953094429.jpg\" alt=\"Antique clocks on display in Ikoma watchmakers building, 1st floor lobby\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11253\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Ikoma family Hina dolls were displayed on their original wooden boxes in the windows facing Sakaisuji Avenue. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22425-e1645952904198.jpg\" alt=\"Spring Semba Expo, Hina Matsuri Dolls at Ikoma Building\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11248\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The dolls, while still elegant and showy in their own right, are quite small, round, and adorable to look at.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"color: #786E66;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/spot\/sukunahikona-jinja-shrine\/\">\u25cfSukunahikona Jinja Shrine<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22428-e1645952979865.jpg\" alt=\"Sukunahikona Jinja Shrine entrance and torii in Doshomachi, Osaka\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11251\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The shrine is located on Dosh\u014dmachi Street, historically known as Osaka\u2019s \u201cmedicine district\u201d for its ancient apothecaries and modern-day pharmaceutical companies. <a href=\"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/spot\/sukunahikona-jinja-shrine\/\">Sukunahiko Jinja Shrine<\/a> has two deities, both related to medicine, Sukunahikona\u2014the Japanese deity of medicine\u2014 and Shinn\u043e\u0304-san\u2014an emperor in ancient China and the legendary founder of Chinese medicine.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22429-e1645953132499.jpg\" alt=\"Shinto Deities of medicine, enshrined at Sukunahikona Jinja Shrine\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11254\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The set of Hina Dolls on the shrine grounds are from the late Meiji era (1868\u20131912) and include small tea sets, porcelain, and an adorable child-like doll and her set of geta. They were the property of Kiku Saito (later Kiku Bessh\u043e\u0304), the daughter of a merchant family in Semba, and she took them with her when she married into the Bessh\u043e\u0304 family, the family that has run Sukunahikona Jinja Shrine since 1910.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22433-e1645953186861.jpg\" alt=\"Spring Semba Expo, Hina Matsuri Dolls at Sukunahikona Jinja Shrine\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11255\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"color: #786E66;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/spot\/shibakawa-building\/\">\u25cfShibakawa Building<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22437-e1645953220980.jpg\" alt=\"Shibakawa Building, Osaka retro architecture near Yodoyabashi\/Midosuji\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11256\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This 1927 building facade is inspired by Mayan and Incan architecture from Latin America, however it incorporates many European-style elements as well. It was once a Western goods import business and finishing school, and today <a href=\"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/spot\/shibakawa-building\/\">Shibakawa Building<\/a> features a number of boutiques, a bar, restaurant, and cafe.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22434-e1645953279229.jpg\" alt=\" Osaka retro architecture: Shibakawa Building bar, The Court\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11257\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Shibakawa family dolls are traditional 7-tier sets. And there are 4 of them! Dolls from the four daughters Yayoiko, Sumire, Haruko, and Ayako take up the entire exhibition space on the rooftop terrace in Shibakawa building. Before you even reach the rooftop, you\u2019ll be greeted by photos of the Hina dolls tier-by-tier which line the staircase. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22442-e1645953319948.jpg\" alt=\"Shibakawa Building, Osaka retro architecture, stairway\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11258\" \/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22440-e1645953365888.jpg\" alt=\"Shibakawa Building rooftop terrace\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11259\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Shibakawa family originally moved to this corner of Semba in 1837 and established their residence, which was rebuilt by a later generation and became Shibakawa Building. The 4 girls\u2019 (Yayoiko, Sumire, Haruko, and Ayako) mother was from Kyoto and so the elder two daughters have sets of dolls from a famous shop in Ky\u014dto, while the younger two daughters were born after the family moved to Tokyo and their sets reflect the Tokyo style. Compare the styles in hina dolls from Eastern and Western Japan. See if you can tell which is which!<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22438-e1645953404977.jpg\" alt=\"Kanto-style Hina Matsuri Dolls at Shibakawa Building, Osaka\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11260\" \/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22443-e1645953500391.jpg\" alt=\"Kansai-style Hina Matsuri Dolls at Shibakawa Building, Osaka\" width=\"800\" height=\"605\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11261\" \/><br \/>\nInterestingly, one of the sets is missing the Emperor and Empress dolls from the top tier. They have been replaced by a painting of the dolls by Osaka artist Naoki Chokuj\u043e\u0304.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22439-e1645953533782.jpg\" alt=\"Hina Matsuri dolls painted on scroll, Osaka, Japan\" width=\"800\" height=\"559\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11262\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"color: #786E66;\">\u25cfMitsubishi UFJ Bank Osaka Building<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22465-e1645953563126.jpg\" alt=\"Mitsubishi UFJ Bank Osaka Building on Midosuji Boulevard\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11263\" \/><br \/>\nBuilt in 2017, this 21-story building is located directly on Osaka\u2019s main boulevard, Midosuji. The first floor is a sprawling lounge open to the public with seasonal paintings, displays of old currency dating back to the Edo period (1603\u20131868), and a cafe.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22477-e1645953794170.jpg\" alt=\"Hina dolls from Toyota family in Osaka, Spring Semba EXPO\" width=\"800\" height=\"511\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11264\" \/><br \/>\nHina dolls from the Toyota family, a merchant family that can trace its roots in this area back to 1675. The dolls belonged to Keiko Toyota, who received the dolls as a gift in 1932 from her grandmother, who lived in this area of Semba.<\/p>\n<p>This is not an exhaustive list of the buildings and doll displays, so expect to see more when you visit. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"anchor3\" style=\"color: #FF3345;\">\u25a0Special performances, drinks, &#038; more<\/h2>\n<p>It is worth noting, that although the Hina Dolls are only on display for approximately one week in early spring, the gorgeous buildings and fantastic architecture is here year-round. Many of the establishments mentioned above are open to the public, so you can admire the architecture and experience the history alongside cutting-edge modernity in Osaka\u2019s merchant district.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22478-e1645954109141.jpg\" alt=\"Osaka central business district architecture, arial walkway\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11265\" \/><br \/>\nDuring the Spring Semba Expo, there will be a number of events related to Hina Matsuri, including musical performances, dance, the tea parties. <\/p>\n<p>You may have noticed many of the doll sets include 5 court musicians, known as gonin-bayashi. Every year the Yamamoto Noh theater holds a traditional court music performance using instruments the musicians are holding. Listen in on the 2021 concert\u2193<\/p>\n<p> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u8239\u5834\u306e\u304a\u3072\u306a\u307e\u3064\u308a\uff5e\u4e94\u4eba\u56c3\u5b50\u306e\u6f14\u594f\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OKw19wr21Go?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"anchor4\" style=\"color: #FF3345;\">\u25a02026 Semba Doll Expo Details<\/h2>\n<p>Doll Exhibition: Saturday, February 21st\u2014Tuesday March 2rd, 2026<br \/>\nVenue: Four buildings in Northern Semba, central Osaka<br \/>\nAdmission: Doll-viewing is free. Food\/drink available with purchase.<\/p>\n<p>See <a href=\"https:\/\/semba-navi.com\/event\/sembaexpo2026spring-en\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a> for further details.<\/p>\n<p>\u25bcRelated articles<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/2021\/03\/02\/japanese-hinamatsuri\/?preview_id=11193&#038;preview_nonce=7a45864439&#038;_thumbnail_id=11360&#038;preview=true\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; border: 1px solid #cccccc; padding: 10px; border-radius: 0px; background: #ffffff;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-1499\" style=\"display: inline-block; margin-right: 10px; object-fit: cover; width: 100px; height: 100px;\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2021\/03\/hina_matsuri_food030221a-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\u201cHello kitty hina arare, amazake, hishimochi, Japanese sweets and traditional food eaten during the Hina Matsuri holiday\u201d width=\"100\" height=\"70\" \/><span style=\"display: block; align-self: center; text-decoration: none;\"> Celebrating Young Women! Hina Matsuri in Kansai<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/2022\/03\/04\/plum-bonsai-swords-at-osaka-tenmangu\/?preview_id=11193&#038;preview_nonce=7a45864439&#038;_thumbnail_id=11360&#038;preview=true\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; border: 1px solid #cccccc; padding: 10px; border-radius: 0px; background: #ffffff;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-1499\" style=\"display: inline-block; margin-right: 10px; object-fit: cover; width: 100px; height: 100px;\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22556-e1646213140362.jpg\" alt=\u201cplum bonsai Osaka tenmangu\u201d width=\"100\" height=\"70\" \/><span style=\"display: block; align-self: center; text-decoration: none;\"> Plum bonsai &#038; samurai swords at Osaka Tenmangu<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In case you don\u2019t have your own Hina Dolls at home, or even if you do, the Spring Semba Expo is a fantastic way to celebrate Hina Matsuri aka Dolls Day aka Girls\u2019 Day in Osaka. For this special occasion in early March, doll sets from wealthy families from the Semba area are on display [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":11248,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[230,212,143,203,142,78,165],"tags":[],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"author_id":"","author_name":"","author_image":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11241"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11241"}],"version-history":[{"count":43,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23243,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11241\/revisions\/23243"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11248"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}