Saturday, July 26, 2025 - Sunday, July 27, 2025
[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage] Tobata Gion Pyramid Lantern Festival
![[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage] Tobata Gion Pyramid Lantern Festival](/modules/media/t/e77b91215c50406080d3be9920da58b3_v1.jpeg?m=638298215391270000)
[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage] Roots date back to the Edo period (approximately 200 years ago) when the capital was attacked by an epidemic and the people prayed to Sunanoo-no-Mikoto (one of the two major deities involved in the creation of Japan) for help. After successfully ridding the land of the disease, the people in turn created a “Yamakasa” to celebrate and show their gratitude.
During the festival in the daytime, the eight official floats with twelve great flags hoisted on the four large ones are carried for a parade, followed by some small floats for children. But in the nighttime, the floats are completely transformed into pyramids of light—huge Lantern Yamakasa floats, their decorations with the flags removed. Each with twelve layers of 309 lanterns, 10 meters high, and 1.5 tons in weight, is shouldered by about 100 carriers.
Registration
Sign up at the IT&T office.
| Participation | |
|---|---|
| Participants are required to follow MCAS Iwakuni Travel Guidelines for Fukuoka Prefecture. | |
| Minimum number of participants | 15 |
| Maximum number of participants | 38 |
| Itinerary | |
| Depart from Bldg. 410 (in front of the IT&T Office) | 1 PM |
| Return to MCAS Iwakuni | 1 AM, the following day |
| Fees | |
| Please visit the IT&T office to pay all associated fees. Trip costs must be paid in full upon registration. | |
| *We would like to collect the following admission fees to the temples before the trip. Please visit the IT&T Office and pay in Yen cash. Trip costs must be paid in full upon registration. | |
| Adults (patrons aged 12 years & older) | $42 |
| Children aged 6-11 years | $30 |
| Children aged 5 years & younger | $22 |
Cancellation Policy
- Participants are required to follow MCAS Iwakuni Travel Guidelines for Fukuoka Prefecture.
- If the minimum number of guests needed for this tour (15) is not reached by JUL 18, the tour will be canceled, and money will be refunded.
- If guest cancellation is made on or before JUL 18, there is a $5 cancellation fee per person.
- If guest cancellation is made on or after JUL 19, there is no refund.