Mothers and daughters in Japan are celebrating Hina Matsuri, or Girl's Day. Each year, it becomes an important rite of passage marked by the women of the family with special dolls.

Doll displays are everywhere in Japan to celebrate

The festival is always held on the 3rd day of March and it's known in Japan as Hina-matsuri.

In the weeks leading up to the date it's customary for parents with daughters to set up a special Hina doll display. Parents believe the dolls will protect their girls from evil spirts -- and the dolls will absorb rather than repel these dark forces which may endanger their daughters.

This special event at Tokyo's Sumida attracts about a thousand people every year.

Japanese businesses also like to join in the celebrations with their own displays. Some, such as this luxury hotel, have built up special collections of dolls.

This is LegoLand's Hina Matsuri-inspired display in Tokyo. Children can come here and make their own Lego versions of Hina dolls to go on a specially-made Lego design. And, the continuing popularity of this tradition means shops like Marugin continue to prosper.

Parents of girls born around the end of February rush here because they want to be fully-prepared for their daughter's first Hina matsuri.

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