
Hina ningyo get the plush Pokémon treatment.
The Japanese celebration called Hinamatsuri is known by a few different names in English, including “Girls’ Day” and “the Doll Festival.” Those alternate monikers came about because Hinamatsuri is celebrated by households with daughters, and the primary tradition is decorating a part of the home with dolls of a couple (sometimes described as an empress and emperor) dressed in exquisite kimono, often accompanied by tiers of attendants, as a symbol of future prosperity and happiness.
▼ Hinamatsuri dolls
Generally speaking, the aesthetic for Hinamatsuri dolls, or Hina ningyo, as they’re called in Japanese, is more elegant than cute. This being Japan, though, there’s always at least one adorable option on the table, and this year Pikachu Hinamatsuri dolls are on the way!
Officially, the above-pictured pair are called the Pikachu Hinamatsuri Plushie, by nature of their stuffed animal form. They’re meant to be used the same way as Hinamatsuri dolls, though, and they’re dressed in classical finery.
While they’re cute enough to make fans squeal with glee when viewed from any distance, go in for a closer look and you’ll spot some other Pocket Monster species who’re present and a few other clever design cues. The two-tone background behind the Pikachu pair, for example, is a Poké Ball motif. And those auspicious cherry blossoms blooming on it? One of them is actually a Cherrim!
▼ Note, however, that this is simply the rear view with each Pikachu’s outer ear sticking out, and not a Jigglypuff.
While the Pikachu Hinamatsuri Plushie’s exact dimensions haven’t been released, the designers say that its compact-enough size makes it easy to display in your room, and the soft material means less worry about damaging the kimono-clad couple should you accidentally knock them over than with traditional Hinamatsuri dolls, which can sometimes cost several tens of thousands of yen (hundreds of U.S. dollars). Also not yet announced is the Pikachu Hinamatsuri Plushie’s price, but judging by the price of other Pokémon plushies in Japan, odds are it’ll end up somewhere in the neighborhood of 4,000 yen (US$25), though we won’t know for sure until it goes on sale through the Pokémon Center Online e-store on January 30 or at physical Pokémon Center locations on February 1.
Related: Pokémon Center Online
Source: Pokémon official website
Top image: Pokémon official website
Insert images: Pakutaso, Pokémon official website
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he now wants a version of the Hinamatsuri song sung by Pikachu.







Beautiful kimono-cloth Pikachu doll is latest creation from century-old Tokyo doll maker【Photos】
Pikachu special kimono plushie is only available one way, hopes to spread love of Japanese chess
Pikachu’s chunky original design is back as a plus-sized plushie【Photos】
Disney sushi? An adorable new way to celebrate Japan’s Girl’s Day/Doll Festival
New Pikachu-in-Pokémon-sleeping-bag plushies will keep fans’ hearts warm all winter long
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japan’s hoya is a straight-up edible video game monster, and here’s how to prepare/eat it【Photos】
Problem solved: How to open a Japanese convenience store onigiri rice ball【Pics and video】
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
The Almost All Lettuce Burger from Dom Dom Burger really lives up to its name
Family Mart unveils new Japanese bread that elevates convenience store food to mocchiri levels
Deer are appearing in Osaka City, may have wandered there from Nara[Video]
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Massive-variation new Pikachu plushie line lets you find the perfect Pikachu just for you
New line of paired boy/girl Pikachu plushies kicks off with couple in Japanese school uniforms
Pikachu and Eevee pay their respects to Wobbuffet with new Pokémon bags and plushies【Photos】
Pokémon finally gets a Japanese Facebook page, celebrates with cherry blossom Pikachu video
July’s Monthly Pair Pikachu plushies are set to be the hottest/cutest couple on the beach
Huge life-size Porygon plushie is a way to reconcile with the most maligned Pokémon of all
New Pokémon blankets are part plushie cushion, part fluffy wrap, and all adorable【Photos】
Wrinkly Pikachu gets first-ever official plushie, sadness-smoothing hugs to come soon
New posable life-size detective Pikachu plushie commits crime of stealing our hearts【Photos】
Bootleg Chinese Pikachu plushie gets full makeover from loving fan who won’t give up on it
New Pikachu plushie cozies up inside ketchup bottle, looks so cute that we could eat him right up
You can raise your own Pikachu from a furball with this adorable new plushie line from Japan
Pikachu cosplays as Mario in awesome new Nintendo crossover merchandise line 【Photos】
Graffiti artist Pikachu plushies coming to brand-new Shibuya Pokémon Center megastore【Photos】
New sleeping bag Pikachu plush toys coming to game centres in Japan this May