Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival
Lantern FestivalTohoku(Fukushima)
Annual eventDates
2026-10-03 — 2026-10-05
Venue
Nihonmatsu Shrine and city center streets
Admission
Free
Crowd Level
Moderate crowdFukushima's spectacular lantern festival with 3,000 paper lanterns on floats.
The Nihonmatsu Chochin Matsuri is one of Japan's three great lantern festivals, boasting over 370 years of history as the annual grand festival of Nihonmatsu Shrine. Seven elaborately decorated floats adorned with hundreds of paper lanterns parade through the streets accompanied by taiko drums and traditional music.
Highlights
Seven massive floats adorned with 300+ lanterns each parading through streets; Taiko drumming and traditional festival music filling the night; Designated Fukushima Prefecture Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset
Access
JR Nihonmatsu Station on the Tohoku Main Line, 3-minute walk to Nihonmatsu Shrine
Tips for Visitors
The first evening's float procession is the highlight — arrive early for a good viewing spot. Dress warmly as October evenings in Fukushima can be chilly. The nearby Nihonmatsu Castle ruins offer great daytime sightseeing.