Tenno Matsuri

The Tenno Matsuri is an annual river festival in Tsushima, Aichi, held every July with a history of over 600 years. The centrepiece of the two-day event is the evening festival where a dozen boats, each adorned with nearly 400 paper lanterns, float down the Tenno River accompanied by the sound of Tsushima flutes. During the morning festival, the boats are decorated with Noh dolls, accompanied by musical performances. The festival pays homage to the deity Gozu Tenno. It has been designated as an important intangible folk cultural property. In 2016, it was added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.