Japan celebrates hundreds of festivals each year, many of which are linked to seasonal and religious observances. Lantern festivals stand out as a dazzling and familiar highlight in Japan’s cultural landscape, taking place throughout the year. Beyond stunning displays, these radiant celebrations are deeply rooted in tradition and community, providing unique insights into Japanese culture. Whether you are after a spiritual encounter or simply a breathtaking spectacle, this guide will illuminate everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable experience — from understanding the cultural significance to locating the perfect lantern festival to incorporate into your Japan itinerary.
Lantern festivals in Japan: History, symbolism, significance
Lanterns first arrived in Japan from China during the Nara period. The earliest versions, called kaitomoshi, were made of wood and metal and were found in Imperial palaces and Buddhist temples. Modern Japanese lanterns utilise materials like washi paper, bamboo, wood, and plastic.
Today, lanterns are deeply woven into Japanese tradition and culture. They represent a variety of positive concepts, including hope, peace, the honouring of ancestors (especially during Obon), good fortune, happiness, and purity. They are also believed to ward off evil, mark the changing seasons, and carry people’s wishes.
The gentle glow of lanterns creates a serene atmosphere, offering a sense of calm and reflection. Attending a lantern festival in Japan is a truly special experience. Savour more unique experiences in Japan with this guide that goes beyond the tourist trail.
The best time to visit: 2025 lineup
Japan’s lantern festivals occur throughout the year and are held in various regions. The line-up for the Japanese Lantern Festival in 2025 is as follows:
- Ryukyu Lantern Festival: From December 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
- Miayma Snow Lantern Festival: From mid-December, 2024, to February 1, 2025.
- Nagasaki Lantern Festival: From January 29, 2025, to February 12, 2025.
- Nagano Zenkoji Lantern Festival: From February 7, 2025, to February 11, 2025.
- Otaru Snow Light Path Festival 2025: From February 8, 2025, to February 15, 2025.
- Chidorigafuchi Floating Lantern Festival: From July 24, 2025, to July 25, 2025.
- Senshu Beach Lantern Festival 2025: From early July.
- Tanabata Sky Lantern Festival: From early July or August.
- Nebuta Aomori Festival 2025: From August 2 to August 7.
- Nara Tokae Lantern Festival: From August 5, 2025, to August 14.
- Hiroshima Toro Nagashi Lantern Floating: From August 6, 2025.
- Obon Lantern Festival near Sasebo River: From August 15, 2025.
- Odaiba Sea Lights Lantern Festival: From early October 2025.
While we hope to celebrate these lantern festivals with you in Japan, please be aware that they may be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. We recommend checking the official website for updates before your visit. For more details, check out our seasonal guide to the best time to visit Japan.
Now, let’s delve into the details of Japan’s most popular lantern festivals to add to your itinerary.
Lantern festivals in Japan
Ryukyu Lantern Festival, Okinawa
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Yomitan Night Lights Project (Ryukyu Lantern Festival). The Japanese Lantern Festival will take place in Yomitan Village and Murasaki Mura Ryukyu Kingdom. In addition to traditional Japanese washi paper lanterns, you will also find lanterns and sculptures from Vietnam and China here. Find more information here.
If you have your heart set on this lantern festival, check out our guide to the best things to do in Okinawa to plan your Japan trip better.
- When: December 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
- Location: Murasaki Mura Ryukyu Kingdom Theme Park in Okinawa.
- Entry: Purchase tickets here.
- Must-try activities: Japanese lantern-making workshop, projection mapping event, and stamp rally.
Miyama Snow Lantern Festival, Kyoto
Seize the opportunity of the off-peak tourist season in Miyama and celebrate the snow lantern festival! The Japanese Lantern Festival takes place from mid-December to February 1. It’s an 80-minute drive from central Kyoto and is one of the finest locations to experience snowfall, admire the lantern illuminations, and see thatched roofs blanketed in snow. Find more information here.
Also, check out this 5-day Kyoto itinerary to savour slow travel in Japan.
- When: From mid-December, 2024, to February 1, 2025.
- Location: Kayabuki no Sato Village, Miyama, Kyoto.
- Entry: Free admission.
- Must-try activities: Food stalls and winter fireworks displays from 6:30 pm onwards.
Nagasaki Lantern Festival
Many tourists are surprised to discover China’s cultural influence on Nagasaki. To honour Japan’s oldest Chinatown, a 15-day festival takes place annually at Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown and around the Megane Bridge. As it marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year, visitors can expect a wealth of parades, lion dances, cultural performances, food stalls, and installations of Chinese lanterns. Find more information here.
Also, don’t forget to add Unzen Onsen in Kyushu, near Nagasaki, one of the hottest under-the-radar towns in Japan, to your itinerary.
- When: January 29 to February 12.
- Location: Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown and the area around Megane Bridge.
- Entry: Free admission.
- Must-try activities: Sampling local Chinese cuisine at street stalls, enjoying parades, lion dances, lantern installations, and cultural performances.
Zenkoji Lantern Festival, Nagano
Since 2004, the Zenkoji Temple in Nagano has been decorated with lanterns every February to commemorate the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. School students and local artists adorn each lantern with black paper strips to create abstract designs. Hundreds of these stunning lanterns are scattered throughout the temple grounds, halls, and main road. Find more information here.
- When: February 7 to February 11.
- Location: Zenkoji Temple in Nagano.
- Entry: Free admission.
- Must-try activities: Admiring Japanese lanterns in a zen atmosphere.
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Otaru Snow Light Path Festival in Hokkaido
Each lantern at the festival is handcrafted by local citizens and volunteers with care and attention. The festival is celebrated to cherish Japanese values and traditions from the Meiji, Showa, Taisho, and Heisei eras in an ever-evolving world. In the silent night, the snowy background with hundreds of flickering floating lanterns makes a dreamy sight. Find more information here.
Explore Japan’s northern island with our 10-day Hokkaido itinerary.
- When: February 8 to February 15.
- Location: The Otaru Canal, the Former Temiya Railway Line, and the Asarigawa Onsen Village in Hokkaido.
- Entry: Free admission.
- Must-try activities: Admiring Japanese lantern displays and snow sculptures.
Chidorigafuchi Floating Lantern Festival in Tokyo
Everyone knows that Chidorigafuchi Park is one of the finest locations in Tokyo to see cherry blossoms. However, the park truly comes alive in summer during its annual floating lantern festival. Approximately 2,000 floating lanterns are illuminated and released along the moat. These lanterns symbolise hope, wishes, and gratitude for the year. While entry to the event is free, boat rentals incur a fee and necessitate reservations.
Find more information here.
- When: July 24 to July 25.
- Location: Chidorigafuchi Moat within the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
- Entry: Free admission.
- Must-try activities: Photography, leisurely strolls, and admiring the floating lanterns.
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Senshu Beach Lantern Festival 2025, Osaka
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This lantern festival in Japan is an exciting event you won’t want to miss this summer. It will take place at Osaka Sennan Rinku Park after 8 pm, when over a thousand lanterns will be released onto the waterfront at Osaka Sennan Rinku Park, accompanied by illuminated palm trees. This event aims to ward off negative energy, invite good fortune, and promote peace and forgiveness.
Find more information here.
Also, check out this Osaka itinerary to explore Japan’s foodie paradise.
- When: Early July.
- Location: Osaka Sennan Rinku Park, Osaka.
- Entry: Free admission.
- Must-try activities: Buy a lantern at the venue and pen your wish.
Tanabata Sky Lantern Festival
There are two ways to celebrate the Tanabata festival in Japan. One way is to write your wishes on a thin strip of paper and hang it on a bamboo branch; the other is to attend the Sky Lantern Festival in Kyoto, Aichi, or Fukuoka. Whichever you choose, your eyes will be delighted by the beautiful scene of floating lanterns in the sky!
Find more information here.
- When: Early July or August 2025.
- Location: Kyoto Prefectural Kizugawa Sports Park, Kyoto.
- Entry: Free admission.
- Must-try activities: Enjoy festival games, sample local food stalls, and take part in event workshops.
Nebuta Aomori Festival 2025
Every August, tourists from all over the world flock to Aomori to catch a glimpse of these colossal lantern floats. The lanterns are crafted from washi paper stretched over a wireframe to illustrate the likeness of mythical beings and gods. If you’re keen on attending the parade, it spans 3 km and offers free seating for visitors. The floats are also on display during the day; if you’re fortunate, you may even encounter the designers. Did we mention that there are numerous food and souvenir stalls as well?
Find more information here.
- When: August 2 to August 7.
- Location: Aomori City
- Entry: Admission is free.
- Must-try activities: Playing festival games, dining at local food stalls, and shopping for souvenirs.
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Nara Tokae Lantern Festival
Imagine yourself in a lovely Japanese yukata, leisurely strolling through Nara Park, admiring hundreds of Japanese lanterns and majestic deer. Welcome to the Nara Tokae Lantern Festival. This festival, held each August, is organised by the Nara Toukae Association, a non-profit organisation dedicated to attracting more visitors, fostering community spirit, and promoting Nara’s culture and traditions. Find more information here.
Keep our guide on the best places to visit and things to do in Nara handy to explore Japan’s ancient capital.
When: August 5 to August 14
Location: Nara Park, Nara.
Entry: Free admission.
Must-try activities: Enjoy Japanese lantern displays, sample delights at food stalls, and photography.
Hiroshima Toronagashi Lantern Floating
During Toronagashi, people inscribe prayers and messages of peace on lanterns before setting them afloat on the river. This event, which commemorates the victims of the atomic bomb, takes place in Hiroshima on August 6 every year. Visitors may also purchase lanterns at the site, write their names and messages of peace on them, and release them into the water.
Find more information here.
- When: August 6
- Location: Motoyasu River Hydrophile Terrace (Near the Bell of Peace), Hiroshima.
- Entry: Free admission.
- Must-try activities: Purchase a floating lantern at the venue and inscribe a peace message.
Obon Lantern Festival, Nagasaki
Obon is a Japanese Buddhist festival dedicated to honouring the spirits of one’s ancestors. During this festival, it is common for the Japanese to visit their homes and the graves of their forebears. In Nagasaki Prefecture, a floating lantern event will be held on the Sasebo River to pray for the departed souls and guide them to the afterlife.
Find more information here.
- When: August 15
- Location: Sasebo River (opposite Nimitz Park), Nagasaki Prefecture.
- Entry: Free admission.
- Must-try activities: Writing wishes and prayers on floating lanterns.
Odaiba Sea Lights Lantern Festival
Odaiba Marine Park is one of the finest locations in Tokyo to celebrate Marine Day (umi no hi). Every October, an annual lantern festival is held on the beach. The festival aims to pray for safety at sea and express gratitude for the ocean’s bounty. Over 2,000 coloured lanterns illuminate the beach, and while enjoying the view, visitors can also appreciate local music performances and picnic by the sea.
Find more information here.
When: Early October.
Location: Odaiba Marine Park, Odaiba Beach, Tokyo.
Entry: Free admission.
Must-try activities: Music performances, seaside picnics, and lantern lighting.
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Important tips
Those of you attending your first lantern festival in Japan, keep these pointers in mind:
- Before leaving for the Lantern Festival, check the weather app and plan your outfit accordingly.
- To secure prime seating, arrive early at the venue to avoid the crowd.
- Be considerate of others while taking pictures at the festival. Many Japanese do not take kindly to strangers photographing them or their families, so always ask for permission.
- Book your accommodation in advance (ideally close to the festival venue), as rooms fill quickly.
- Wear comfortable footwear and breathable clothing to remain cosy while strolling.
- Carry cash or download PayPay to purchase food, souvenirs, and event tickets.
- Avoid littering the venue with rubbish; if you cannot find bin facilities, take your trash home to dispose of it.
- If you’re staying further away from the venue, we recommend noting the train and bus schedules to ensure you can return safely.
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(Feature image credit: Ken FUNAKOSHI/Flickr)
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Yes, they are. Almost every lantern festival in Japan takes place in a safe and child-friendly environment, such as parks, temple grounds, traditional gardens, or occasionally, near the beach or along the river. Japanese lantern festival venues also offer a fantastic opportunity for tourists to familiarise themselves with Japanese culture, savour local cuisine, enjoy dance performances, wear festive attire, and partake in delightful games!
Most lantern festivals in Japan are safe, well-organised, and family-friendly. Maintain a safe distance from lanterns, remain close to family in crowded areas, and wear comfortable clothing and footwear.
Most lantern festivals in Japan are free to attend; however, a few exhibits may require tickets. For confirmation, check the website and social media posts for pricing details.
Your outfit choices will depend on the weather, season, festival theme, and location. If the festival takes place at a temple or historic site, we recommend opting for traditional Japanese attire, such as a kimono or yukata. Several rental shops for conventional Japanese clothing are situated near the festival venue. If you are short on time, you may wear comfortable Western clothing and footwear.
It depends on the venue. Please check the website or social media for details. In most instances, Japanese lantern festivals are free to attend, but you should expect to pay for food stalls and event activities.
Written By
Sharon Alphonso
Sharon is from Mumbai and currently lives in Tokyo with her Japanese husband. Before moving to Japan, ..Read More
