Toro Nagashi

Toro Nagashi

A festival where floating lanterns are released from boats into the river. This is to celebrate the end of the Buddhist festival Obon. A 3 day festival where the Japanese invite the souls of their ancestors back into their homes. Toro Nagashi is done to the light the way so that the spirits can find their way back to the other world.
I found out about this festival in the newspaper, so wasn't exactly sure what it was or, for that matter, where it was, but I was pleasantly surprised. I decided not to get into a boat myself, as I wasn't sure what would be happening. It seemed safer to stand on the shore.
About 50 rowing boats were taken out on the palace moat at Chidorigafuchi park. Each had about 4 lanterns in them. Once all the boats were ready, some fireworks went off to start the celebrations and all the boats were invited to light their lanterns and float them in the moat. Music was playing in the background. (It's a small world, amongst other songs) A really good singer also sang a well known Japanese opera song. The boats not only had laterns but also had floating flames to light. These were then used to light large colourful sparklers.
All in all a very atmospheric and beautiful festival.