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Emukae Sen Toro Festival

Photo courtesy of: Nagasaki Prefecture Tourism Federation

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Emukae Sen Toro Festival

Five centuries of tradition, and a giant lantern tower that stirs all five senses.

Last update :
Supervised by :  Sasebo Tourism Convention Association

Held every year on August 23 and 24 in Emukae Town, Sasebo City, the northernmost area of Nagasaki Prefecture, this festival has been passed down in the local community for Approx. 500 years.

The symbol of the festival is a giant 25-meter tower lined with Approx. 3,500 lanterns in neat rows. It has a scale that seems to stretch endlessly toward the sky and is known as one of Japan’s tallest lantern towers.

The stars of the daytime events are the children taking part in the Mizukake Jizo Festival, parading with a mikoshi carrying a wooden Jizo statue. The splashes of water vigorously thrown with tubs and ladles by spectators along the route carry prayers for good health, creating an excitement intense enough to blow away the summer heat.

Also not to be missed are the moment when Approx. 10,000 lanterns placed throughout the town are lit all at once at sunset, and the total of 2,000 fireworks that bring the two-day festival to a close.

From the lively daytime atmosphere to the soft glow of the lanterns and the vivid bursts filling the night sky, each scene created throughout the day is sure to leave visitors amazed and make the trip unforgettable.

Highlights

  • A traditional festival in Emukae Town, Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture, carefully passed down for Approx. five centuries.
  • The giant 25-meter tower glowing with Approx. 3,500 lanterns is the festival’s symbol and one of the tallest of its kind in Japan.
  • During the day, children carry a mikoshi in the Mizukake Jizo Festival and are splashed with water from spectators praying for good health.
  • At sunset, Approx. 10,000 lanterns are lit all at once, and the finale features 2,000 fireworks soaring into the night sky.

Photos

  • The symbolic giant tower glowing with Approx. 3,500 lanternsPhoto courtesy of: Nagasaki Prefecture Tourism Federation

    The symbolic giant tower glowing with Approx. 3,500 lanternsPhoto courtesy of: Nagasaki Prefecture Tourism Federation

  • At sunset, Approx. 10,000 lanterns are lit all at oncePhoto courtesy of: Nagasaki Prefecture Tourism Federation

    At sunset, Approx. 10,000 lanterns are lit all at oncePhoto courtesy of: Nagasaki Prefecture Tourism Federation

  • Fireworks bring the two-day festival to a closePhoto courtesy of: Nagasaki Prefecture Tourism Federation

    Fireworks bring the two-day festival to a closePhoto courtesy of: Nagasaki Prefecture Tourism Federation

  • The event where participants are splashed with water in prayers for good health is also a highlightPhoto courtesy of: Nagasaki Prefecture Tourism Federation

    The event where participants are splashed with water in prayers for good health is also a highlightPhoto courtesy of: Nagasaki Prefecture Tourism Federation

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Details

Name in Japanese
江迎千灯籠まつり
Postal Code
859-6101
Venue
320 Nagasaka, Emukae-cho, Sasebo City, Nagasaki (around Emukae Central Park and the Festival Square)
Phone
0956-59-8900 (Emukae Sen Toro Festival Executive Committee *Available each year after August 16)
Date
August 23 and 24 every year
Access
1) Approx. 3 minutes on foot from Emukae-Shikamachi Station on the Matsuura Railway Nishi-Kyushu Line
2) Get off at the Nishihi Bus “Emukae Bus Center” bus stop, then Approx. 1 minute on foot
Official website
Official website (Japanese)
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