Fukushima Travel – Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival

Every autumn, the castle town of Nihonmatsu in Fukushima Prefecture is illuminated by thousands of lanterns during the Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival, one of Japan’s Three Great Lantern Festivals.

In 2026, the festival will be held from October 3 to 5. The highlight comes on the night of October 3, when all seven beautifully decorated festival floats gather together, creating a spectacular scene beneath the autumn night sky.

One of Japan’s Three Great Lantern Festivals

The Nihonmatsu Chochin Festival is the annual festival of Nihonmatsu Shrine and has a history of more than 360 years.

The festival is believed to have begun in the 17th century, when Lord Niwa Mitsushige, the feudal lord of Nihonmatsu, established Nihonmatsu Shrine and encouraged local people to worship there.

Today, the festival continues to be one of the most important traditional events in the city.

Seven Floats and Thousands of Lanterns

The biggest attraction is the Yoimatsuri, the festival’s opening night.

Seven large taiko-dai, traditional festival floats carrying drums, gather in the center of Nihonmatsu. Each float is decorated with more than 300 red lanterns, creating a total of around 3,000 glowing lanterns.

The lanterns are lit from the sacred fire of Nihonmatsu Shrine before the seven floats set off through the city.

As the floats move through the streets, the sound of traditional festival music and the energetic calls of the young men pulling and guiding the floats fill the night.

The sight of all seven floats traveling together is the only time during the festival when all seven neighborhood floats come together for a nighttime procession.

A Spectacular Autumn Night in Fukushima

Imagine walking through a historic Japanese town on a cool October evening.

The streets are filled with the sounds of drums and festival music. Hundreds of red lanterns glow from each float, while thousands of lanterns move slowly through the darkness.

Against the autumn night sky, the seven illuminated floats create an unforgettable scene.

This is not simply a light display. The lanterns, music, floats, and energetic participation of local residents are all part of a traditional festival that has been passed down for centuries.

More Than Just a Lantern Festival

The three-day festival has different highlights each day.

The second day is the Honmatsuri, the main festival, when the important mikoshi procession takes place. The seven floats also continue their joint procession through the city.

The final day, known as the Atomatsuri, features processions through the individual neighborhoods before the floats come together again in the evening. Even after the official events have finished, the sound of festival music can continue late into the night.

Experience a Traditional Japanese Festival in Fukushima

For travelers interested in traditional Japanese culture, the Nihonmatsu Chochin Festival offers something very special.

Rather than watching a festival designed primarily for tourists, visitors can experience a centuries-old tradition that remains deeply connected to the local community.

The glowing lanterns, powerful drums, traditional festival music, and historic streets of Nihonmatsu create a spectacular autumn experience.

If you are looking for authentic Japan beyond Tokyo and Kyoto, Fukushima is home to many traditional festivals and local celebrations waiting to be discovered.

Come to Fukushima and discover another Japan with Deep Japan Tours.