The town of Yamaga in Kumamoto Prefecture transforms into an enchanting spectacle of lights during the summer tradition of the “Yamaga Lantern Festival”. Spanning across two days, the festival centers around the Omiya Shrine, located in the Yamaga Onsen area. The climax of the festival, the “Thousand Lantern Dance”, is an awe-inspiring spectacle of around a thousand women dressed in yukatas gracefully dancing with golden lanterns balanced on their heads. These lanterns are traditional Yamaga crafts, made solely of Yamaga’s washi paper and glue, and are dedicated to the shrine.
Exhibitions of these traditional lanterns and lantern dances are presented at various locations throughout the town. The first day of the festival is also marked by a grand fireworks display, illuminating the summer night sky with vibrant colors and adding to the enchanting ambience of the event.
• 8/15 (Tue.), 8/16 (Wed.)
• 18:00~23:00
• Free viewing (paid seats are available)
• Yamaga City Central Area (Yamaga, Yamga City, Kumamoto), Yamaga elemetary school ground (351 Yamaga, Yamaga City, Kumamoto)
• https://yamaga-tanbou.jp/about/toromatsuri/
• https://www.instagram.com/yamaga.tanbou/
