A Summer Night to Remember: The Floating Lights of Toro Nagashi Japanese Floating Lantern Festival
- Narelle Katsumoto
- 7月30日
- 読了時間: 4分
Japanese Floating Lantern Festival
Japanese Floating Lantern Festival
Every summer in Japan, something truly magical happens along the rivers and coasts — thousands of glowing lanterns gently float on the water, creating a peaceful, dreamlike scene. This beautiful tradition is called Toro Nagashi, the Japanese Floating Lantern Festival, a heartfelt ceremony honoring ancestors, praying for peace, and celebrating life itself.
If you’re planning a visit to Japan in the summer, Toro Nagashi is an unforgettable cultural experience you won’t want to miss!
What is Toro Nagashi?
The words Toro Nagashi literally mean “lantern” (toro) and “to float” or “to cruise” (nagashi). During this festival, small paper lanterns with candles inside are set afloat on rivers, lakes, or the sea. These lanterns are often decorated with messages, drawings, or prayers written by family members or participants.
The lanterns used in Toro Nagashi are not the tall, stone or metal lanterns you might see at temples — instead, they are smaller, simpler lanterns made with delicate paper or fabric stretched over bamboo or wood frames. Their soft, flickering candlelight creates a serene atmosphere that feels almost magical as the lanterns drift gently on the water.
The Meaning Behind the Festival
Toro Nagashi is deeply rooted in Japanese beliefs about honoring and remembering ancestors, a practice called sorei shinko — reverence toward one’s ancestors.
In mid-August—or mid-July, depending on the region—families throughout Japan observe Obon, a cherished tradition that invites the spirits of their ancestors to return home for a brief visit. It is believed that during Obon, spirits leave the afterlife to visit their living relatives. Families clean graves, offer food, and spend time together, celebrating the bond between the worlds of the living and the departed.
At the end of Obon, families send their ancestors’ spirits back to the spirit world with a special ceremony called okuribi. Toro Nagashi is a type of okuribi where lanterns are floated on water, symbolizing the journey of the spirits back to the afterlife.
This beautiful act of floating lanterns also expresses a wish for peace. Many Toro Nagashi festivals are held as memorials or prayers for those who have passed away, including the victims of tragic events such as World War II bombings and natural disasters. The lanterns, representing the spirits, are set afloat on the water—an element deeply tied to human life and nature—symbolizing the souls’ peaceful return to their original state.
The Origins and Modern Day Celebrations
The first modern Toro Nagashi ceremony, or “Festival of Recovery,” was held in 1946 after World War II, as a way to remember the many lives lost during the conflict and to hope for peace. Since then, the tradition has spread and evolved into joyous celebrations held in many parts of Japan during the Obon season.
Today, Toro Nagashi is not just a somber remembrance but a hopeful, peaceful occasion that brings families and communities together. People gather by riverbanks, dress in colorful yukata (summer kimonos), and watch as lanterns float downstream accompanied by traditional music and dancing.
How to Join in the Festival
Participating in Toro Nagashi is easy and welcoming–as a local or even a tourist!. At many festivals, you can buy or even decorate your own lantern with wishes, prayers, or drawings. Volunteers light your lantern’s candle, and you join the line to gently place it on the water.
The riverbanks fill with spectators eager to watch the glowing lights drift by. Many festivals also feature Bon Odori — traditional dances performed in yukata, expressing wishes for a good harvest and happiness. These dances are simple to learn and fun to watch, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Keep in mind that popular festivals can get crowded, so arriving early is recommended to secure a good spot and to take part in the lantern releasing.
Where to See Toro Nagashi in Japan
Here are two of the most famous and meaningful Toro Nagashi festivals you can visit:
Tokyo – Sumida River Toro Nagashi (隅田川とうろう流し)
Date: August 16, 2025 (Rain or shine)
Time: Ceremony starts at 6:30 PM, lantern floating from 6:45 PM to 8:15 PM
Location: Azumabashi Waterside Terrace, Sumida River (Asakusa side)
Lanterns can be purchased in advance online for ¥1,700 (plus shipping) or on the day for ¥2,000. On-site sales start at 2 PM near the water bus boarding area.
The event is free to watch.
This beautiful Tokyo event coincides with Obon and offers a perfect chance to experience the festival in the heart of Japan’s capital.
Hiroshima – Peace Message Toro Nagashi (ピースメッセージとうろう流し)
Date: August 6, 2025 (Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing)
Time: 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Motoyasu River Waterfront, across from the Atomic Bomb Dome
Lantern price: ¥1,000 each
Visitors from all over the world gather here to send lanterns as a message of peace and remembrance for victims of war and tragedies.
Hiroshima’s Toro Nagashi is a deeply moving experience that connects history, peace, and the spirit of healing through light.
A Summer Night to Remember
If you find yourself in Japan during the summer, don’t miss the chance to witness or join a Toro Nagashi festival. It’s more than just a pretty sight — it’s a celebration of life, family, memory, and hope.
Imagine standing by the river as soft lights float by, each lantern carrying a message of love and peace, guiding the spirits on their journey and reminding us all of the connections that bind us through time.
Toro Nagashi is a glowing symbol of the Japanese spirit — respectful, hopeful, and beautifully serene.
Ready to experience Toro Nagashi? Mark your calendar, bring your wishes, and prepare to be enchanted by one of Japan’s most touching summer traditions.
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Picture Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=149316513439626&set=a.146018007102810
https://www.nippon.com/en/ncommon/contents/features/53907/53907.jpg
https://cdn.savvytokyo.com/app/uploads/2018/08/iStock-818876022.jpg
https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/59620-201900/800!/tokyo-asakusa-toro-nagashi-201900.jpg
https://cdn.cheapoguides.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/04/Toro-nagashi_in_Hiroshima.jpg
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