Dazaifu Lantern Festival (Koto no Hikari), Fukuoka

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Various places in Dazaifu city being wrapped with the light

Speaking of Dazaifu City in Fukuoka Prefecture, along with “Kitano Tenmangu Shrine” in Kyoto, it is the home of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, which is the “So-ja shrine” (shrine enshrining several gods) of “Tenmangu” in Japan. The Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is visited by 8.5 million people annually, and many events are held every month, affecting the lives of Dazaifu citizens.
“Dazaifu Tenmangu Jinkoshiki” is designated as an intangible folk cultural property of Fukuoka Prefecture, and it is the most important event in Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, which is held before and after Autumn Equinox Day. “Jinkoshiki” starts where the first festival is held two days before the autumn equinox. In the evening of the next day, mikoshi (portable shrine) carrying the spirit of Michizane Sugawara will descend to Enokisha Shrine in the city with 500 priests and parishes. In this procession, those wearing Heian period clothing echo the bells and drums and proceed strictly through the city.

The regular festival is held on September 25, the anniversary of Michizane. On the night of the 25th, Shinji Ike Pond in the precincts will have 1,000 candles lit with sacred fire and a “Sentomyo” (Ceremony of a thousand candles) dedicated to Michizane Sugawara. And the five-day Jinkoshiki is over.

The “Dazaifu Lantern Festival” is an event in which various places in Dazaifu city are wrapped with the light of “Tomyo” (light offered to god) along with “Sentomyo” to be held on the last day of “Dazaifu Tenmangu Jinkoshiki”. At the same time, most of the city lights were turned off, making Tomyo’s light more prominent.
On the day, you can purchase a special “Chochin” (Japanese paper lantern), so you can feel a fantastic atmosphere by strolling with the faint light. You may be able to take a fantastic picture with the light of a lamp.

Charms and Highlights of Dazaifu Lantern Festival (Koto no Hikari)

The historical and fantastic atmosphere

Dazaifu city is known as one of the leading tourist attractions in Fukuoka prefecture. Not only the “Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine“, the main hall is designated as an important cultural property, it is full of spots where you can feel the history such as the Kyushu National Museum and Kanzeon-ji Temple.
In such Dazaifu City, “Dazaifu Lantern Festival” (Koto no Hikari) will be held on September 23 and 25 every year according to the “Jinkoshikitaisai Festival” of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine every year. During the event period, each spot in the area will be colored with light objects and you can enjoy the historical and fantastic atmosphere. The lights are lit in thousands of lanterns, and Monzen-Machi area, Kanzeon-ji Temple, Mizuki Castle ruins etc. are colored with light objects. On September 25, “Sentomyo” where 1000 candles are lit up around Shinji-ike Pond in front of Romon Gate in Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine will also be held.

At this event, there are various events such as walking Dazaifu while holding lanterns and mini concert at each venue. On the 25th, the way of light will be directed at each venue of the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and the Kyushu National Museum along the road, alongside the lights children painted. Please visit the Dazaifu which was colored by the light of a soft lantern, take a walk and experience the ancient capital Dazaifu. While strolling around with special lanterns, please rediscover the charm of Dazaifu by shining the light on the local property (famous sights, historic sites, townscape, nature etc.).

Lanterns and light objects color the area

Dazaifu holds annual “Dazaifu Lantern Festival” autumn event to redirect light on its wonderful historic cultural resources and rediscover the charm of the area. Lanterns and light objects color Kyushu National Museum, Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine and around Monzen-machi, Kanzeon-ji Temple and Mizuki-ato (the Mizuki remains). Also connect each one by the light path by the light of Tomyo (light offered to god).

The city wrapped in soft light

The lanterns are installed along the road and those become the road of light, connecting the historical sites of the city. Limited sale of special lanterns of “Lights of Ancient City” will be held at each venue. You can walk around the city wrapped in soft light with the lantern in hand.

The roadside of the area is a light lane in the lantern

The main venue is very beautifully colored with lanterns and light objects. To excite the beauty, it does not have any lighting around, so it is recommended purchasing “special lantern”. The roadside of the area is a light lane in the lantern, but where there is a distance to the next area there is no way for the light. People who are not very familiar with geography and are planning to go around a large area, it is recommended to do a preliminary study.

The lighting ceremony will be held

The “Monzen-machi area” is gathered around the Kyushu National Museum, Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Monzen-machi and so can be easily reached around. Here, it is also pleasure that the lighting ceremony and Sentomyo (Ceremony of a thousand candles) will be held.

The 1000 candles will be lit and the Maikagura will be played

“The lighting ceremony” will be held from 18 o’clock in the Kyushu National Museum. Then shadow pictures are performed and events are held. Also, the cultural exchange exhibition room on the 4th floor can be viewed for free until 20 o’clock. At “Shinji Ike Pond” in Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, “Sentomyo” is held from 20 o’clock, the 1000 candles will be lit and the Maikagura (Shinto music and dance) will be played.

Information(Access, Price/Charge, Tel, Address, Official site, etc.)

Name:	Dazaifu Lantern Festival (Koto no Hikari)
Address:	Saifu 1-14-28 Dazaifu, Fukuoka 818-0117 Japan
Access:	Nishi-Nippon-Tetsudo Dazaifu-sen Line “Dazaifu-eki Station” (3 minutes walk)
Tel:	(+81) 92-921-2121 (Dazaifu Tourism Promotion Office)
Price/Charge:	Free
Official site:	https://www.dazaifu.org/