2026] Saga Castle Hinamatsuri x Noraneko Gudan First Day Report! Stamp rally, limited stickers and goods can be enjoyed even if you are not a fan!
Index
Collaboration with popular picture book character "Noraneko Gudan
The 26th Saga Castle Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival)
On Saturday, February 14, 2026, the 26th Saga Castle Hinamatsuri Festival, which heralds the arrival of spring, has begun. This year, as an event commemorating the 20th anniversary of the birth of the new city of Saga, visitors can enjoy a collaboration with Noriko Kudo's picture book "Noraneko Gudan," which is very popular among adults and children alike.
Exciting collaborative events
An all-too-cute event featuring Noraneko and his furry friends in the historic townscape of Saga! Isn't it exciting even if you don't know the picture book?
I was thrilled, even though I didn't know the picture book existed!
That's why I went there on the first day!
So I went there on the first day! Unfortunately, it was raining. But despite the rainy weather, many ”Noraneko Gudan” fans enjoyed the stamp rally where they could get "Maruboro," a famous Saga confectionary with an original print of the character, as well as "Noraneko Gudan" hidden in the town and hina dolls displayed on buildings in the historic townscape, The visitors enjoyed the "Noraneko Gudan" hidden in the town and the hina dolls displayed in the historic town buildings.
I had a sudden impulse to go out, so I arrived a little (a lot) late, and the goods were already in short supply at the ”Noraneko Gudan POP UP SHOP,” but a giant stuffed Noraneko doll welcomes you, and you can enjoy "Noraneko The charm of the "Noraneko Gundan" is that you can enjoy them all around the town.
Mokumekomi doll with Nabeshima komon pattern
At the "Old Ushijima House," which serves as a character store, visitors can purchase various Mokumekomi dolls dressed in komon patterns associated with the Nabeshima clan, as well as Saga-grown tea, famous sweets, and other goods. I purchased some delicious Saga tea and yokan (a sweet bean jelly), and was able to go home and spend some quality time healing.
Enjoy historical buildings and stylish cafes
The popular Hinamatsuri event, held in the form of a tour around the city, features dolls that have been handed down from the Nabeshima family of the Saga Clan, and are dressed in elegant Nabeshima komon and hand-woven Saga brocade.
It is recommended to walk slowly and look around the historic white-walled buildings and retro structures built in the Meiji and Taisho eras.
I hoped that this collaborative event would be an opportunity for the younger generation to learn about history and traditional crafts. By the way, you would probably need permission to post goods, so I am focusing on photos of the townscape.
Event Summary
Dates: February 14 (Sat.) - March 15 (Sun.), 2026
Place: Chokokan, Saga City Museum of History and Folklore, Saga Castle History Museum, and other places in central Saga City
Saga Castle Hinamatsuri Executive Committee Office (in Saga City Tourist Association)
0952-20-2200
▼For more information, please visit the Tourism Association's Instagram or Saga City's website.
Saga City Tourism Association Official Instagram
Saga City Official HP
