Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival

About this event

The Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival is a Fukushima Prefectural Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property held as the annual grand festival of Nihonmatsu Shrine. It takes place annually on the first Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of October, and in 2026 (Reiwa 8) it will be held on Saturday, October 3, Sunday, October 4, and Monday, October 5. The biggest highlight of the festival is the "Yoi-matsuri" (Eve Festival) on the first day, where seven taikodai (drum floats) laden with clusters of lanterns set out from each neighborhood, transferring the sacred bonfire flame of Nihonmatsu Shrine to the red lanterns. The drum floats march vigorously through the city to the chants of the youth associations and festival music, and the approximately 3,000 lanterns illuminating the night sky thrill the spectators. This day is the only occasion when all neighborhoods gather together, culminating in a gathering in front of Nihonmatsu Station. On the second day, the "Hon-matsuri" (Main Festival), the most important event of the annual festival—the "Mikoshi Togyo" (portable shrine procession)—takes place, alongside a joint parade of the 7 towns. Afterward, following the return of the portable shrine to the shrine (Miyairi), the drum floats return to their respective neighborhoods at night, light their lanterns once again, and parade through the streets. The third day, the "Ato-matsuri" (After Festival), marks the final day of the festival, featuring neighborhood parades during the day and joint parades split into groups of 4 towns and 3 towns at night. With reluctance to say farewell, the festival music resonates late into the night. The origin of the festival dates back to 1643 (Kanei 20), when Nihonmatsu Shrine was founded to uplift the religious devotion of the domain's people, marking the beginning of the lantern festival. Originally held around August 15 of the lunar calendar, it was moved to October 4, 5, and 6 following the Great Fire of Nihonmatsu in 1918 (Taisho 7), and changed to the first Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of October starting in 2019. During the festival period, a GPS-based location tracking service for the drum floats is also provided, along with guidance for temporary restrooms and temporary parking lots.

Venue

Nihonmatsu City

Nihonmatsu, Fukushima