Yamaga Lantern Hyakka Hyakusai

Once renowned across Japan as a major producer of traditional Japanese umbrellas, Yamaga continues to celebrate that heritage. The Yamaga Lantern Hyakka Hyakusai Festival (full name: “Yamaga Lantern Romance: A Hundred Flowers, A Hundred Lights”) was created from the heartfelt wish of local residents to recreate the lively atmosphere of the past through a handmade celebration of light and artistry. Originally launched as part of the regional series “Winter Kyushu – Festival of Lights”, which spans the six prefectures of Kyushu, the festival continues to be held every winter.

The Yamaga Lantern Hyakka Hyakusai is a truly “handmade” festival, built on cooperation and community effort. Old traditions and new creativity come together to shape the event, as local residents, shop owners, the tourism association, schools, and even city and prefectural officials work side by side to prepare for the festival.

From November, approximately 1,500 bamboo stalks, each about three meters long, are harvested from nearby mountains. Volunteers then process, carve, and paint the bamboo in preparation for the festival, with work continuing through February. During the event, handcrafted bamboo lanterns and bamboo sculptures are placed along the streets, and thousands of candles are lit individually. The lighting process is performed with the assistance of local volunteers, and visitors are welcome to participate if they bring a lighter.

Visitors have the option to participate as volunteers, assisting local residents in lighting the bamboo lanterns along the streets; participants are required to bring a lighter.

The festival also includes “Yamaga Fuzei Monogatari”, a performance of Yamaga’s traditional arts. This program features Yamaga taiko drums and the Yamaga lantern dance, accompanied by flute music. The performances take place at Yachiyoza, a theatre winter designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

The event is held every Friday and Saturday and takes place across several key locations in Yamaga, including the theatre Yachiyoza, Buzen Shopping Street, Kongojo-ji Temple, the Yamaga Lantern Folk Art Museum, Sakurayu Onsen, Onsen Plaza Yamaga, and the town’s foot bath (Ashi-yu) areas, among others.