Emukae Sentoro Matsuri

About this event

Heralding the arrival of summer in the Emukae district of Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture, the "Emukae Sentoro Matsuri" is a traditional summer festival boasting a history of about 500 years. The greatest highlight is the approximately 25-meter-tall "Sentoro Tower" adorned with around 3,500 lanterns, known as "Japan's tallest lantern tower." As twilight falls, around 10,000 lanterns are lit throughout the streets, creating a magical scene as the entire town of Emukae is enveloped in gentle light. During the festival period, the spirited and lively "Mizukake Jizo Matsuri" (Water-Splashing Jizo Festival) is also held, filled with energy as children carry Jizo statues to the river for a bath and then parade through the town bearing mikoshi (portable shrines). For the festival finale, around 2,000 fireworks across the two days illuminate the night sky, capping off the summer nights with a magical contrast woven from lantern light and fireworks. It is an iconic Sasebo summer tradition where visitors can enjoy history, enchanting lanterns, water-splashing rituals, and fireworks all at once.

Venue

Emukae Chuo Park

320 Emukaicho Nagasaka, Sasebo, Nagasaki 859-6101