Toro Nagashi - Hiroshima Lantern Floating

Toro Nagashi - the floating of paper lanterns on water - is practised across Japan during the Obon period in August as a way of guiding ancestral spirits back to the spirit world. In Hiroshima, the practice takes on a significance that goes beyond the Obon tradition. On the evening of 6 August, thousands of paper lanterns are floated down the Motoyasu River in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome, honouring the victims of the 1945 bombing. It is one of the most visually and emotionally powerful public rituals in Japan, observed by tens of thousands of people each year.

The Ceremony

The lantern floating begins in the evening of 6 August, after the conclusion of the Peace Memorial Ceremony held at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in the morning. Groups and families write messages on their lanterns - names of lost relatives, wishes for peace, personal reflections - before launching them from the banks of the Motoyasu River. The lanterns drift slowly downstream past the Atomic Bomb Dome, their candles reflected in the dark water. The dome, lit and skeletal against the sky, serves as the backdrop to the scene.

The lanterns are launched from designated points along the river; the main launching areas are opposite the Peace Memorial Park and from the Peace Memorial Museum waterfront. Organisers and volunteers manage the launch sites and ensure that the lanterns remain on the water rather than drifting to the banks. The floating continues from approximately 6:30pm until late evening.

Joining the Ceremony

Pre-made paper lanterns are available for purchase from stalls near the park on the day; prices are typically around 600-1,000 yen per lantern as of recent years. Writing a personal message on the lantern before launching is encouraged. Alternatively, attending as a witness - standing on the riverside or the Peace Bridge (Heiwa-ohashi) to watch the lanterns float past - is equally meaningful and requires no preparation.

Getting There

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is in central Hiroshima, approximately 15 minutes by tram from Hiroshima Station (stop: Genbaku-Dome-Mae). On 6 August, the trams and the surrounding streets are very crowded both morning and evening; arriving early gives access to a position along the riverbank before the main crowds arrive. See our Hiroshima guide for accommodation near the Peace Park and restaurant recommendations.