A mystery-solving walking event titled "Utsuro no Hakobina Fukushima/Kuroki, The Disappeared Dolls" will be held from February 15 (Sunday) to March 15 (Sunday), 2026, across the Fukushima and Kuroki districts of Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture—both designated as Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings (abbreviated as "traditional preservation districts").
Participants will receive answer sheets at the reception and explore both districts on foot, solving mysteries as characters in the story. The event is free to participate with no advance registration required, with an estimated completion time of about 60 to 90 minutes per district. *Note: Traveling between the Fukushima and Kuroki districts requires a car (approximately 25 minutes).
This project is the fourth installment in the "walking mystery-solving" series produced by Tomoya Miwa, a Regional Revitalization Cooperator in Yame City. This time, featuring Yame's distinctive box hina dolls and timed with the Girls' Festival season, the event aims to deliver the appeal and differences of the two traditional preservation districts through "experience," enhancing circulation and recognition.
1. Background
Yame City has two traditional preservation districts: the Fukushima district with townhouses and warehouses from the Edo to Meiji periods, and the Kuroki district with its serene townscape. However, the fact that there are two preservation districts and the nuanced differences between their respective atmospheres are not widely known both within and outside the city.
Additionally, historic townscapes tend to have scattered points of interest, making it difficult for first-time visitors to understand "where to visit and in what order."
This event designs a flow where participants naturally explore the town while following the story rather than simply searching for destinations. Furthermore, by centering the narrative around Yame's unique box hina dolls during the Girls' Festival season, the event aims to create motivation for visits by combining historical scenery with seasonal events.
2. Event Details
"Utsuro no Hakobina" is a walking mystery-solving event enjoyed while actually exploring the Fukushima and Kuroki districts.
Story Overview
"That box of hina dolls had been passed down for a long time.
From mother to daughter. From daughter to granddaughter.
Each time different hands opened the lid, the girls grew older.
But eventually, the box of hina dolls was left sitting in a corner of the storage room.
And this year. When the box was opened for the first time in decades—
...it was empty.
The Emperor and Empress dolls were gone.
All that remained was a piece of paper with a riddle written on it."
Participants become one of the story's characters and follow clues left throughout the town to track down the missing dolls and reveal through mystery-solving why the dolls disappeared.
How to Participate
During the event period, visit one of the reception points below. Answer sheets (featuring story introduction, puzzles, and maps) will be distributed at reception.
Fukushima Area: Yame City Tea Tourism Information Center / Yokomachi Townhouse Exchange Center
Kuroki Area: Former Matsuki Residence
Difficulty and Duration
Designed to be approachable for mystery-solving beginners and families with elementary school children and above
Duration: Approximately 60 to 90 minutes per area. About 25 minutes by car between Fukushima and Kuroki.
Participants can also enjoy exploring with stops at shops and cafes along the way
Participation Requirements
Participation Fee: Free
Advance Registration: Not required (Reception may end early depending on material availability. Latest information will be announced on Instagram, etc.)
3. Project Director's Comments
When I walked through Yame's townscapes, I felt that "while history and culture remain visible in the scenery, there are still many undiscovered charms." As a Regional Revitalization Cooperator, I learned about Fukushima and Kuroki's history and culture, and have been creating walking mystery-solving events as a way to deliver that fascination through experience.
For this "Utsuro no Hakobina," I've designed a flow where even first-time visitors can naturally explore the town, centering the story around Yame's distinctive box hina dolls. The town's character changes as you walk, and you can experience the differences between the two traditional preservation districts firsthand.
I want to apply the knowledge gained from this initiative to future projects that convey charm while treasuring history and culture, even in areas beyond Yame City.
(Tomoya Miwa, Regional Revitalization Cooperator, Yame City)
4. Media Information
Interviews: Available with the project planner (Regional Revitalization Cooperator Miwa) regarding behind-the-scenes production, thoughts on regional revitalization, etc.
Photo Opportunities: Participants walking through white-walled townscapes, families/pairs consulting maps together, distribution scenes at reception, etc.
Seasonal Context: Girls' Festival season, themed around box hina doll culture
5. Event Details
Event Name: Utsuro no Hakobina Fukushima/Kuroki, The Disappeared Dolls
Event Period: February 15 (Sunday), 2026 to March 15 (Sunday), 2026
Event Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
Venue/Area: Fukushima District / Kuroki District (Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings), Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Reception/Starting Points:
Fukushima Area: Yame City Tea Tourism Information Center, Yokomachi Townhouse Exchange Center
Kuroki Area: Former Matsuki Residence
Target Audience: Children to adults (elementary school age and above recommended)
Participation Fee: Free
Duration: Approximately 60 to 90 minutes per area
Participation Method: No advance registration required / Answer sheets distributed at reception
Organizer: Hina no Sato Yame Bonbori Festival Executive Committee
Planning/Production: Tomoya Miwa, Regional Revitalization Cooperator, Yame City (cre@!)
6. Contact Information
Office: Yame City Tourism Promotion Division TEL: 0943-23-1192
Instagram: Fukuoka Prefecture Yame City Mystery-Solving Event "Utsuro no Hakobina" (nazotoki_yame)
