Sanjo Tourism Guide

 This traditional festival has continued since the Edo period and is an honored custom of Hachimangu shrine. Candles are lit with hopes of good health and to celebrate the winter season. Many large candles with diameters of 30cm and 1m tall decorate the shrine.

Night of January 14th - morning of January 15th

 The votive lantern festival takes place on the 14th of January at the Hachimangu shrine.

 This festival is said to have begun near the end of the Edo period, during the Ansei era (around 1854-1860) for dedicating large candles for the safety of one family and success in business. The Hachimangu shrine was refurbished in 2005, and while the fresh smell of Japanese cypress trees linger in the air, 30 large candles where offered to the shrine.

 The event began at 7PM with the performance of a Shinto ritual which followed next with the Sanjo city mayor lighting the first large candle. Soon other dedicators began lighting the remaining candles and the place was soon filled with visitors making their offerings. The precincts of the shrine were bustling with people until the late hours of the night.

 On the other hand, at the Shinmeigu shrine, the whole premise was decorated in paper lanterns which created a very dreamy-like atmosphere. Inside the front shrine, Sanjo Kagura (Shinto music and dance) performances entertained the many people whom visited the shrine during the night.