Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival

About this event

Boasting a history of over 350 years, the Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival is one of Japan's Three Great Lantern Festivals. Held as the annual grand festival of Nihonmatsu Shrine, approximately 300 red lanterns are lit on each of the seven taikodai (drum floats) sent out by each neighborhood, with a total of about 3,000 lights dying the autumn castle town vermilion. Accompanied by the festive music of taiko drums and flutes, marching through the sloped town while swaying lit lanterns is fantastical, with the first day's Yoimatsuri (eve festival) being the biggest highlight. The scene on this day where the seven lantern drum floats gather at Nihonmatsu Shrine is breathtaking, with areas in front of the shrine and near the Kamegai intersection serving as great viewing positions. Aiming for after sunset when the lights stand out, securing a spot early to see the drum floats ascending the slope head-on is recommended. During the festival period, traffic restrictions will be in place in the city center, and surrounding roads will be congested.

Venue

Nihonmatsu Shrine

1-61 Motomachi, Nihonmatsu, Fukushima 964-0917