Summer is a great time to be in Tokyo, with an array of music festivals and fireworks displays taking place across the city. But there are also more traditional events happening, like the Toro Nagashi (floating lantern) nighttime festival at Chidorigafuchi Moat along the fringe of the Imperial Palace grounds. This popular light-up spectacle will take place on July 26 and 27 after sundown.
Over the course of two evenings, you can witness 2,000 beautiful paper lanterns floating on the water. The festival was first held in 1958 to comfort people after World War II.
You can just turn up and enjoy the sight for free. Or you could contribute to the spectacle by releasing your own lantern to the water. You can use the lantern to write down your hopes, dreams or prayers.
The best way to immerse yourself in the event is to hop on a rowboat and send your lantern out onto the water while being surrounded by thousands of glowing lanterns.
This option is limited to only 60 groups (up to three people per group) a day and costs ¥5,000 (including a lantern) per boat. Participation is based on a lottery system and you'll have to register via the website by Friday June 30.
Even if you can’t secure a boat, you can still design a lantern on the day of the event.
Visit Chiyoda ward’s tourist information centre until July 25 (10am-6pm) to register in advance, or just drop by the Chidorigafuchi Boathouse on the day of the event between 5pm and 7pm. It’s ¥1,500 per lantern.
If you can’t make it to the festival in person, you can purchase a pre-designed lantern online, and a member of the tourist association will release it on your behalf. A lantern costs ¥1,500 and you can choose between three messages. Lanterns are available until July 20 on the event website.
The floating lantern festival at Chidorigafuchi Moat runs from 7pm to 8pm on July 26 and 27. Note that the event will be cancelled in case of heavy rain and stormy weather.
For more information, check the event website.
This article was originally published on June 17 2022 and updated on June 23 2023.
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