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Lanterns floating during Hiroshima Lantern Floating Ceremony
Lanterns floating during Hiroshima Lantern Floating Ceremony
Lanterns floating during Hiroshima Lantern Floating Ceremony

Hiroshima Lantern Floating Ceremony — August 6 Peace Message

Thu,August 6

6:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
（Lighting Ceremony from 5:30 p.m.）

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Motoyasu River riverside
(Riverbank area facing the Atomic Bomb Dome)

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News

About joining the Lantern Floating

Anyone can take part in the Lantern Floating on August 6.

Lantern paper can be purchased at the reception tents between 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. The floating begins at 6:00 p.m.

For details on how to take part, please see "How to Float a Lantern."

  • * Lanterns are available while supplies last.
  • * You may float a lantern you made yourself, but we kindly ask that you purchase one at the venue whenever possible.
  • * Materials that cause pollution, such as plastic or styrofoam, may not be used. Only lanterns made entirely of paper may be floated.
  • * Please note that once a lantern has been floated, it cannot be retrieved.
Lantern reception tents at the venue

A request for your support of the Lantern Floating

For many years, the Lantern Floating Ceremony has been made possible through the dedication and support of countless volunteers.

In recent years, however, the costs of organizing the event have continued to rise, including expenses for lantern materials, venue setup, staffing, security, and cleanup.

To carry the Lantern Floating into the future, we sincerely ask for your warm support.

See the donation page for details.

Staff preparing for the Lantern Floating

Hiroshima Lantern Floating Ceremony website is now open.

This new website is the result of a joint project by Lantern Floating Ceremony Executive Committee and Digital Hollywood STUDIO Hiroshima begun in December 2025. The winning entry from the project competition is now public.

Read more about the project

A scene from the project

Float a lantern in Hiroshima,
carrying your hopes for peace
and for the lives that were lost.

Hiroshima Lantern Floating Ceremony began around 1947, after countless lives were taken in an instant by the atomic bombing of August 6, 1945. Bereaved families and citizens who had lost loved ones floated handmade lanterns on the river in mourning and remembrance.

Their hopes have continued unbroken to this day, carried on by the people of Hiroshima's shopping districts and by citizen volunteers.

The light of each lantern is a "flame of life."

So that we who live today may quietly join our hands in remembrance of the past, and carry these feelings into the future — will you float a lantern with your own hopes? Everyone is welcome to take part on the day.

How to Float a Lantern The History of Lantern Floating Frequently Asked Questions

Event Overview

Date

- (Lighting Ceremony 5:30 p.m.)
  • Lantern sales open * at 5 tents in the venue
  • Lighting Ceremony
  • Lantern floating begins
  • Lantern sales end
  • Lantern floating ends
Download Flyer (PDF)
Place
Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima
Venue Map
Access
5-min walk from the "Genbaku Dome-mae" streetcar stop
5-min walk from the "Genbaku Dome-mae" stop using the Maple-Loop sightseeing bus
Access
Fee
Viewing free　
Lantern ¥1,000 (incl. tax) each
 * Payment by cash only.
How to Float a Lantern
Organizer
Lantern Floating Ceremony Executive Committee （Hiroshima Central Shopping District Federation）/ Hiroshima Festival Committee
Please note
Heavy crowds are expected. There is no dedicated parking.
Please use public transportation.
For those who hopes to float a lantern

Access

Map showing Hiroshima Lantern Floating Ceremony venue in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima
Near the Motoyasu River, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
(Riverbank area facing the Atomic Bomb Dome)
View on Google Maps

Venue Map

  • ・There are 5 reception tents. You can buy a lantern at any of them.
  • ・If you use a wheelchair or need assistance, please come to the volunteer tent.
  • ・The tent marked with a ★(star) closes at 2:00 p.m.
  • Locations of the lantern reception tents

    Lantern reception tent locations

  • Location of the waiting line

    Waiting line for lantern floating

Getting here from
JR Hiroshima Station

Streetcar (Hiroshima Electric Railway) / approx. 25 min

Line 6 (bound for Eba) or Line 2 (bound for Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi)
Get off at the "Genbaku Dome-mae" stop, then a 5-min walk.

Route map to the venue by streetcar

"Maple-Loop" sightseeing bus / approx. 20 min

Board the "Maple-Loop" at the Shinkansen exit stop,
get off at the "Genbaku Dome-mae" stop, then a 5-min walk.

Route map to the venue by sightseeing bus

* Any route will get you there.

How to Float a Lantern

There are two ways
to take part

Everyone is welcome on the day. With either method, registration begins at the lantern reception tents from 7:00 a.m. in the morning, and floating begins at 6:00 p.m.

  • Float it yourself

    After writing your message on the colored paper, assemble the lantern yourself and float it directly on the river.

    • * As many people take part, there may be a wait before you can float your lantern.
    • * The wooden frame and candle are provided when you assemble the lantern.

  • Entrust your lantern

    After filling in the application form or writing your message on the colored paper, the organizers assemble the lantern and float it from the lantern boat.

On the day

  1. 01

    Buy a lantern

    Reception 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

    1 lantern ¥1,000

    * While supplies last
    * Cash only. A postcard is included.

    Lantern reception tent

    Lantern reception tent

  2. 02

    Choose how to float it

    Choose to "Float it yourself", or "Entrust your lantern" to the organizers.

    Floating a lantern by yourself Entrusting a lantern

    Left: yourself / Right: entrusted

  3. 03

    Float your lantern

    Floating 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

    To float it yourself, go to the waterside terrace on the west side of Motoyasu Bridge (Hiroshima Lantern Floating Ceremony entrance), receive your wooden frame and candle, and float your lantern in turn.

    Waterside terrace

    Waterside terrace

See full instructions

Concurrent Programs

  • Hiroshima Lantern Floating Ceremony
    Music Ceremony

    A "Music Ceremony" is held as background music for Hiroshima Lantern Floating Ceremony. While you take part, please take a moment to listen.

    Date & Time

    Place: Motoyasu River waterside, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (Riverbank area facing the Atomic Bomb Dome)

    Hiroshima Lantern Floating Ceremony's Music Ceremony flyer

  • Online Lantern Floating

    If you live far away or find it hard to attend on the day, please join us this way.

    Float a lantern carrying your hopes for peace on a virtual river, and your words will be projected on digital signage at facilities and around the city of Hiroshima.

    Lantern Floating venue projection

    Location: Lantern Floating area entrance, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (Riverbank area facing the Atomic Bomb Dome)

    Organizer: Hiroshima - 3rd Generation Exhibition: Succeeding to History

    Image of the Online Lantern Floating View the Online Lantern Floating
Float a
Lantern