The “Lantern Floating Festival at Chidori-ga-fuchi, The Imperial Palace” will be held for two consecutive nights on July 24 (Wed.) and 25 (Thu.). In this event, 2,000 lanterns will float on the Chidori-ga-fuchi moat of the Imperial Palace, a well-known cherry blossom viewing spot, creating a beautiful and fantastic world in the most romantic summer event in Tokyo. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this lovely event!
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“Lantern Floating” – a Japanese summer tradition
The event is based on the Japanese summer tradition of lantern floating, called “toro-nagashi” in Japanese. It was initiated in 1958 to heal the hearts of people devastated by the war. Originally, “toro-nagashi” is a ceremony to mourn the souls of the deceased by floating lanterns in the sea or river, and it has become a summer tradition in Japan. The sight of numerous lanterns floating in the moat is breathtaking. It is a great opportunity to experience this symbolic summer tradition of Japan with local people.
Many of the event participants wear yukata, a Japanese summer garment. If you have a yukata available, why don’t you join in the fun? Japanese people are happy to see foreigners to enjoy their traditional clothing, so there is no need to hesitate.
In addition, a kitchen car will be in Kitanomaru Garden this year. Don’t miss it!
Viewing locations:
- Chidori-ga-fuchi Boat Pier (Beyond 2 Sanbancho) – Chidori-ga-fuchi Greenway 16:30 – 20:00
- Viewing area, Sales of bottled water, Reception of floating lanterns (pick up lanterns – write your messages- hand in lanterns)
- Kudanzaka Park（2-2-18 Kudan-minami) 19:00 – 20:00
- Viewing venue
- Kitanomaru Garden (Kitanomaru-koen 1-1) – 17:00-20:00
- Viewing area, Food trucks, Sales of handheld lanterns
Watch our video from 2022: https://youtu.be/K_30qKJhALk
Make a wish!
You can enjoy the event by just looking at the lanterns flickering in the moat, but why not reserve a lantern and write a personal message or wish on it? It a great way to make this Japanese summer night a special and memorable experience.
The participation fee is 2,000 yen per lantern. No lanterns will be sold at the site this year. If you want to write your wishes on a lantern, you have to purchase it online in advance. To pick up your lantern, present the QR code at the “Lantern Collection Point” at the event site on the day of the event.
To purchase lanterns online, please visit the official website:
https://visit-chiyoda.tokyo/floating.lantern/
Sales period: Tuesday, June 25 – Monday, July 22 (*ends if lanterns sell out)
Pick-up Dates and Time: Wednesday, July 24 and Thursday, July 25 from 16:30 to 19:00
Lantern Floating Accommodation Plan
The first “Accommodation Plan” with lanterns and a boat included! Hotel New Otani (Tokyo), which celebrates its 60th anniversary this September, is offering a hotel members’ accommodation plan that allows the guests to float lanterns by themselves on a boat on the day of the event.
You can choose from a number of beautiful rooms at the Hotel New Otani (Tokyo), while transportation to and from the hotel venue is also included. Please enjoy the romantic view created by 2,000 lanterns floating on the Chidori-ga-fuchi moat!
For more information, please visit the hotel’s official website:
https://www.newotani.co.jp/group/noc/offers/akaribune/
Lantern Floating Festival at Chidori-ga-fuchi, The Imperial Palace
https://visit-chiyoda.tokyo/floating.lantern/
Date: July 24 (Wed) and 25 (Thu), 2024
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/jkxKvv5CMUrvaiDJA
Access: Kudanshita Station, Hanzomon Station
The best time to view the lantern floats is from 19:00 to 20:00.
*The festival will be cancelled in case of rain or stormy weather. No refunds will be made in such cases.
*The lottery for the “Gift Lanterns on Boat” to participate in the event by boat has already been closed.
No lanterns will be sold at the venue on the day of the event.
