Fri
Aug 15th
Lanterns float down the river in Sasebo to mark the end of Obon
Lanterns float down the river in Sasebo to mark the end of Obon (Photo: Mandy Bartok)

Toronagashi in Sasebo 2025

Lanterns float down the river to mark the end of Obon

Mandy Bartok   - 1 min read
Venue : Sasebo River When : Friday - Aug 15th 2025, 12:00am - 12:00am

Obon in Sasebo is punctuated by the sound of firecrackers and the glow of lanterns that are floated down the Sasebo River on the evening of August 15th. The lanterns are blessed by priests and passed hand over hand to be placed into the lazy current of the river that runs next to Sasebo Park in the city center. The sight of these vessels weaving their way slowly downstream as they shepherd the souls of the city's departed spirits back to the afterlife is magical.

Mandy Bartok

Mandy Bartok @mandy.bartok

Japan resident for 10 years, with time spent in Okinawa, Kumamoto and Tokyo.