On March 3rd in Japan, it's Hina Matsuri ひな祭り, the "Doll Festival". On this day, it's the young girls who take center stage…and to avoid any jealousy on May 5th, during "Children's Day"!

Young Japanese girls receive dolls from an early age, known as hina ningyô. These dolls, however, are not meant for play (much to the girls' disappointment!): they represent the emperor and empress on their wedding day, and are carefully arranged on a large tiered platform. During Hina Matsuri, the dolls (which are normally stored away) are brought out and displayed for several days.

There's a saying that if the dolls aren't promptly put away after the festival, the young woman will take longer to find a husband.

Today, many families settle for miniature reproductions, due to lack of space.