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Kiyomizu Shrine — Floating Lantern Festival on the River

Published: Jul 22, 2026
Updated: Jul 22, 2026
lantern festivalobonriverAugusttraditional
Kiyomizu Shrine — Floating Lantern Festival on the River

Kiyomizu-jinja in Saga City hosts the Saga Lantern Festival (Saga-no-Nishi) in mid-August — a tradition where paper lanterns are floated on the Kase River in the Buddhist obon tradition. Unlike the famous Nagasaki Lantern Festival (which uses Chinese-style hanging lanterns in winter), Saga's floating lanterns create a river of light that moves with the current for 2km. The ceremony is entirely local — no commercial booths, no tourist signage — and attended primarily by residents honoring their ancestors.

Essential Information

Opening Hours

Annual event (mid-August): from 7:00 PM

Closed: Annual event only (mid-August) | Check Saga City events calendar for exact date

Entrance Fee

Free to observe | Lantern purchase for participation: ¥300

Best Season

Mid-August (obon period)

Visit Duration

2 hours (evening event)

Getting There

Access Information

Kase River, near Kiyomizu Shrine, Saga City. Mid-August (check Saga City events calendar for exact date). Evening from 19:00. Free to observe; lantern purchase (¥300) for participation.

Insider Guide

Premium
**Lantern launch participation:** Purchasers launch from a specific bridge that allows the current to carry lanterns under several stone bridges before the river bends — the most visually complete section of the journey. Position yourself at the second bridge downstream for the densest concentration of passing lanterns. **Photography note:** Lantern light on water surface requires 3–5 second exposures — bring a small tripod. The reflection of moving lanterns creates light trails unlike any other water photography subject.

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