Giant Lantern Festival

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Near: Nagoya  (Event is Free)

Event Date(s): Aug. 25, 2025 • Aug. 26, 2025
Dates are subject to change without notice. Check with the official organizers before making travel arrangements.

The Giant Lantern Festival or Dai Chouchin Matsuri (大提灯まつり) or Mikawa Isshiki Lantern Festival is a unique event in which "Giant" lantern have been built and are on display. Some of the biggest ones measure over 5 meters in diameter and 10 meters in length! The lanterns are beautifully decorated with Japanese characters and images. When they are hoisted up at night, it is a magnificent site to see! The festival began over 450 years ago when Suwa Shrine used to ignite a fire to drive away sea demons that would emerge from the sea and ravage the fields and bring harm among the local inhabitants. As time progressed, the "fires" were replaced by these huge lanterns.

Directions from Nagoya:
1.) From the Meitetsu Nagoya Station take the Meitetsu Nishiosen Line to Nishio Station (about 50 min.)
2.) From Nishio Station take a Meitetsu bus bound for Mikawa Ishiki Station and get off at the Mikawa Ishiki bus stop (about 20 min.)
3.) From the Mikawa Ishiki bus stop its about a 10 min. walk

Miyazoe 129
Isshikicho Isshiki, Nishio, Aichi 444-0423 Japan

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Website: Giant Lantern Festival Homepage