Three major fireworks festivals in Amanohashidate
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- Three major fireworks festivals in Amanohashidate
Amanohashidate Monjudo Voyaging Out Ceremony

Amanohashidate Monjudo
Voyaging Out Ceremony
This festival is held every year on July 24th. It is an event based on the legendary “Kusedo-engi*” that remains in Chionji Temple. This event includes “Mando-e” (a Buddhist ceremony), in which numerous lights are lit as offerings to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in repentance for the sins of all living beings and in prayer for their salvation. The lanterns are raised at night near the shore that’s close to Chion-ji Temple and the Amanohashidate canal is illuminated. The festival reaches its climax with many fireworks set off. This time of year, the hotels near the venue accept reservations of Fireworks Viewing Boat Tours operated by us. Please make a reservation if you are interested. You can enjoy the fireworks from the sea on this unique tour!

Kusedo-engi*
“Kusedo-Engi” is an ancient document handed down to the Chionji Temple in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture. It is written about the legend of Manjusri Bodhisattva and dragons. Following is the brief outline of this story.
Time immemorial, two Gods, “Izanagi no Mikoto” and “Izanami no Mikoto”, created the Japanese Archipelago and Amanohashidate. However, on the completed earth, the evil dragons were rampaging so people could not live there. Gods discussed every day to find the best solution. Finally, Izanagi no Mikoto said, “Manjushri in Mt. Wutai, China is the most sacred Buddha of wisdom and has been a dragon’s mentor from ancient times. If we enshrine Manjushri here, even the evil dragon will surely mend its ways.” Therefore, the gods welcomed the Manjusri Bodhisattva from Mt. Wutai to this Kusedo (Amanohashidate). Manjusri preached to the dragons with kindness and compassion for a thousand years. Eventually, they were completely converted, became devout believers of Buddha and vowed to protect people.
Miyazu Toro Nagashi Fireworks Festival

Miyazu Toro Nagashi
Fireworks Festival
In Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture, Miyazu Toro Nagashi Fireworks Festival, one of Japan’s three major floating lanterns, is held every year on August 16th. Toro nagashi is a Japanese ceremony during the Bon festival in which participants float paper lanterns down a river or sea. It is one of the Buddhist events also called “Obon”. In Buddhism, it is believed that the spirits of family ancestors come back to this world during “Obon” period between July and August, and a series of events take place to welcome them. We send ancestors’ spirits off by releasing lighted lanterns to the sea. Lanterns on the water escort their spirits back to the after world. This traditional event has been passed down since the Edo period and took its current form in 1924. It is considered to have its origin in that the offering goods were accompanied by small lights and shed into the sea to send the spirits of the ancestors welcomed during the Obon to Gokuraku Jodo (Sukhāvatī) again. The boats called Shorobune are also put to sea by people who lost a family member within a year. They are decorated with bon-lanterns and imitation flowers and are believed to hold the spirits of the deceased on board.

Eventually, the beauty of the lanterns flowing into the sea became popular. It is an important event for local people and attracts many visitors each year. On the day of the festival, about 10,000 lanterns flow into Miyazu Bay and about 3,000 fireworks are launched into the sky. Its fantastic atmosphere will never fail to capture your heart. After the fireworks show, a Bon dance festival is held.
This time of year, the hotels near the venue or the Amanohashidate tourism association accept reservations of Fireworks Viewing Boat Tours operated by us. Please make a reservation if you are interested.
You can see the fireworks from the sea on this tour!
Ine Fireworks Festival

Ine Fireworks Festival
‘Ine Fireworks Festival’ is a feature in Ine town during summer. It is held every year on the last Saturday in August. The colorful fireworks illuminate Funaya boat houses that stand lined up along the bay fantastically. The local people watching the fireworks from Funaya boat houses gives big cheers when they are launched from the middle of Ine bay. It looks like a dream with so many fireworks shining in the majestic Sumi-toned sky like large, glittering flowers. Please appreciate the beautiful reflections of the fireworks light on a tranquil sea at night to the fullest.
On the day, you can also enjoy the movie projected on an overwater screen floating between the bay and the sky, or the stalls using local ingredients.
Note; The image for illustrative purposes only.

During the festival night, lanterns are lit in the Funaya boat houses and their golden light reflecting off the surface of the bay like a beautiful obi (kimono sash) woven with gold thread — a truly enchanting scene.
*Ine Bay, known for its natural beauty and rich ecosystem, is internationally recognized as both a proud member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays Club and the sister bay of Mont Saint-Michel in France. Ine town is also a member of the federation of “Les plus beaux villages de la terre”. Ine no Funaya houses are two-story boat houses. The first floor is a boat garage and the second floor is a residence area.