Yamaga Lantern Festival Hyakka Hyakkai

Located in northern Kumamoto Prefecture, the city of Yamaga hosts an annual winter festival featuring illuminated umbrellas and the arts. Come join locals and visitors and beat the chill with this glowing festival.

The Winter Lantern Festival

Photo by: PIXTA/ 清流の森 Bringing a glowing romanticism to the winter nights

The winter version of the lantern festival mirrors the autumn celebration held during the Obon holidays in August. According to local legend, the legendary 11th emperor of Japan visited the region, but his party encountered heavy fog. They were unable to continue ahead until Yamaga villagers came out bearing torches to light the way.

In an effort to attract tourists to the area, volunteers working alongside the city of Yamaga created the winter counterpart to the popular summer festival. Bringing a glowing romanticism to the winter nights, the Winter Lantern Festival celebrates Yamaga culture and its significance to the region’s history.

Take a Night Stroll

Winter illuminations are not uncommon in Japan, but this one blends local craftsmanship with cold season custom. Several hundred umbrellas crafted with traditional Japanese washi paper and thousands of lit up bamboo adorn the streets of Yamaga. The festival takes place every weekend in February and the first part of March.

Candles are also available on the festival grounds and attendees are free to light one to contribute to the magical atmosphere.

Yachiyoza Theater

Photo by: PIXTA/ Daikegoro A National Important Cultural Asset

The festival is situated in and around Yachiyoza Theater, a National Important Cultural Asset. The theater opened in the early 1910s and thrived in the 1920s. Kabuki shows were the main attraction then and they continue to draw crowds, especially during festival season. To honor the festival, female kabuki dancers wearing unique lantern headgear take to the stage to perform a special show specially made for the festival. Also, taiko drummers showcase their skills on the traditional Japanese instrument.

Yamaga Lantern Craft Museum

Photo by: PIXTA/ Skylight A great place to learn more about this local tradition

Yamaga has a long history with lanterns and the Yamaga Lantern Craft Museum is a great place to learn more about this local tradition. Housed inside a former bank constructed in the mid-1920s, the museum shines a spotlight on how lanterns are created. While they may look heavy and share some characteristics with other lantern designs, these ones crafted in Yamaga are entirely handmade and consist only of washi paper and glue. No metal or wood is used in the construction process which results in a light and delicate work of art.