2024 Kihoku Lantern Festival [KihokuTown nagashima Town] Kihoku Lantern Festival

Date: Saturday, July 27, 2024

A huge lantern floating on the sea and fireworks!

The Toro Festival is said to have its origins in 1925, when hundreds of bird-shaped lanterns were floated down at the opening of the Akabane River.
Although there were interruptions during the war, the Young Men's Group competed in making lanterns, producing glittering illuminated lanterns and moving lanterns, and it was becoming established as a specialty event in this region, but due to depopulation, It was discontinued in 1972 due to a decline in young people. In 1988, young people, mainly from the youth division of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the time, revived the current ``Toro Festival,'' in which larger lanterns were made and floated in the bay to compete with fireworks in an effort to energize the town. I was allowed to.

At this festival, also known as the "Nebuta" of the sea, men and women of all ages from within and outside KihokuTown gather every night to make giant lanterns.
The theme for the year 2024 will be "20th Anniversary of Kumano Kodo's World Heritage Registration," and "Oguchimakami" will be made for the large lantern. Oguchimakami is a deified Japanese wolf that survived until the Meiji era, and has been worshiped since ancient times as a god that protects people from disasters. This July will mark the 20th anniversary of Kumano Kodo's World Heritage registration. As Japanese wolves also survived on the Kumano Kodo, Oguchimakami will be made as a guardian deity that will forever protect the peace and safety of KihokuTown in the future.

The venue will be decorated with small, box-shaped lanterns made by children from kindergartens to junior high schools in the town, and there will be a variety of fun events, including the KIHOKU Sentai Ababain Show.

The fireworks display with the giant lantern is a must-see, and the sight of the Saiun Kujaku fireworks, which can be set off in this terrain that resembles a peacock spreading its wings, momentarily blooming in the night sky is a sight to behold. With the cooperation of Wada Fireworks Store, please take a look at the fireworks program created by the executive committee members in accordance with each year's theme.

Please enjoy it at the venue on the day!

◎Click here for Mie Prefecture's Fireworks Festival Special 2024 → Mie Prefecture Fireworks Festival Special 2024 Edition Introducing popular fireworks festivals, including schedules and locations!