Toro Nagashi: Guide to the Floating Lantern Festival in Japan

If your trip to Japan coincides with the end of summer, you can be part of Toro Nagashi, a serene and poetic ceremony that illuminates the country's nights. This tradition stands out not only for its visual beauty but also for its meaning: it's an act of farewell and reflection that connects the living with their ancestors. Here we explain everything you need to know to understand it and, if you wish, participate.

What is Toro Nagashi?

Toro Nagashi, which translates as "floating lanterns," is a ceremony that is part of the Buddhist festival of O-bon. It involves releasing thousands of paper lanterns lit by a candle (called toro ) onto rivers or into the sea. The main purpose is to symbolically guide the souls of ancestors back to the spirit world after their annual visit to the living during O-bon. It is an act of reverence toward the ancestors ( sorei shinko ).

Today, it has also become an act to pray for peace and to commemorate the victims of historical tragedies, such as wars or natural disasters, which has earned it the alternative name of "Festival of Recovery".

When is it celebrated?

The main Toro Nagashi celebration takes place at the end of the O-bon period. Most regions of Japan celebrate it in mid-August (generally from August 13th to 16th). Some areas, following the old lunar calendar, may celebrate it in mid-July. Lanterns are usually released at dusk.

Where is it held?

You can experience Toro Nagashi in many places across Japan, from small family ceremonies in coastal towns to large-scale events in major cities. Some of the largest and most accessible festivals for visitors include:

• Hiroshima: At Peace Memorial Park, where some 10,000 lanterns are released into the Motoyasu River to commemorate the victims of the atomic bomb and pray for world peace.
• Tokyo (Asakusa): Held on the Sumida River to remember those who died in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.
• Kamakura: On the beach, offering a very photogenic view with the lanterns floating out to sea.

What happens during the festival?

If you attend a Toro Nagashi, here's what you can expect to experience:

1. Decorating a lantern: At large festivals, there are stalls where you can buy a white paper lantern for about 1,500 yen. They often provide brushes and ink so you can write a message, a wish, or the name of a loved one you want to honor.
2. The release ceremony: As night falls, the participants approach the water's edge. A volunteer will light the candle inside your lantern. Then, you will gently place it in the water and push it so that it joins the thousands of others illuminating the stream.
3. Observe and reflect: The most powerful moment is simply observing the silent procession of light. Watching the tiny, flickering flames drift away into the darkness is a breathtaking sight and an opportunity for personal reflection.

Practical tips for your visit:

• Arrive early: The best spots on the shore fill up quickly. If you want to rent a flashlight, go early, as the lines to buy one and get into the water can be long (up to an hour).
• It's free to watch: You don't need to pay to attend the festival. You only pay if you decide to buy and release a lantern.
• Respect the occasion: Although there are many tourists, this is primarily a commemorative ceremony. Maintain a respectful tone and follow the instructions of the local organizers.

Participating in Toro Nagashi is an exceptional way to connect with a deeply spiritual Japanese tradition and take home an experience far more meaningful than a simple photograph.