Yamaga Lantern Festival

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Near: Kumamoto  (Event is Free)

Event Date(s): Aug. 14, 2025 • Aug. 15, 2025
Dates are subject to change without notice. Check with the official organizers before making travel arrangements.

Quick Note, this beautiful festival takes place in a Hot Springs town (in Japanese "Onsen", 温泉), so why not spend a night or two at a great Hot Springs while taking part in this festival!:) The Yamaga Lantern Festival is a very popular festival held "near" the major city of Kumamato in Yamaga town. The festival comes from the story of a legend in which the Emperor and his suite were hindered by fog and local villagers held up torches to light their path.  Since then the festival has migrated into a nighttime beautiful dance among lights and fire.  Other than the main grounds at Omiya Shrine, there are various dances held throughout the town as well as the decorations of lanterns in the shape of shrines and castles on the city streets. Fireworks are also shot off on the 15th and the closing ceremony on the 17th (at midnight) at the Omiya Shrine should not be missed!

How to get there from Kumamoto:
1.) From JR Kumamoto station take a limited express on the JR Kagoshima Honsen Line to Tamana Station (about 20min.)
2.) Get on a Kyushu Sanko Bus bound for Yamaga Onsen (about 40 min.)
3.) Get off at Yamaga Onsen and walk about 5 min. to the festival area

Yamaga, Kumamoto 861-0501 Japan

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Website: Yamaga Lantern Festival Homepage