Lantern Festival at Chidorigafuchi

One of Tokyo's most beautiful summer events

Venue: Chidorigafuchi When: Late Jul 2024

There are a myriad of great summer festivals to enjoy in Tokyo, and one of the prettiest has to be the Chidorigafuchi Moat Lantern Festival. With a history dating back to 1958, the event sees around 2000 gentle lantern lights decorate the water's surface, and there are several ways for visitors to take part.

Photo: Chiyoda Ward Tourism Association

The most budget-friendly option is simply enjoying a stroll around the moat and appreciating the lanterns from a distance, which won't cost you a single yen. Alternatively, you can write your own wishes or prayers on a lantern to be released on the water (¥ 1000 per lantern).

Photo: Chiyoda Ward Tourism Association

There's also the opportunity for a select number of people to enjoy the lanterns from a unique vantage point–by rowboat on the moat. The selection process for this is done via a lottery system, and is limited to 80 groups per day and a maximum of three people per group. The lottery applications will go live on the official website from June 20th – don't fret if you get a 404 Page Not Found before that date!

Photo: Chiyoda Ward Tourism Association

Getting there

Chidorigafuchi Moat is located under 10 minutes on foot from Kudanshita Station, which is served by the Tokyo Metro's Hanzomon Line and Tozai Line, plus the Toei Subway's Shinjuku Line.

More info

Find out more about Chidorigafuchi.

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In addition to admiring the lantern, is there anything else to do in the park? Picnic? Is there a night festival?
Kim Author a year ago
Answered the same question below...not sure about other matsuri happening at the time (you can check our events listings for other Tokyo-based events around the dates) but you could really picnic whenever you want.
Phuong Ha Pham a year ago
Is there anything else you can do at the park (besides watching the lantern)? Picnic? Night matsuri?
Kim Author a year ago
You could definitely picnic there if you wanted to! I don't know about any other matsuri on during the same timeframe, but personally I think it's just a nice area to stroll around!
Sleiman Azizi a year ago
That really is beautiful.
Kim Author a year ago
There's something special about lantern festivals, I think!

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