The spectacular sea of giant candle lights – Nara Lantern Flower Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary

By MOOK Scenic Spots / Zhang Yawen, compiled and reported
 
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the “Nara Lantern Flower Festival.” From August 5 to August 14, candles will be lit at 10 sites across Nara. Each year, many volunteers lovingly light each flame by hand. Over the 10-day event, 20,000 lights will be lit each evening. Each candle flame represents a wish or blessing, and visitors can also experience lighting a candle and making a wish.

The “Kasugano Garden Site,” the largest venue, offers the most expansive sea of candle lights. At the “Floating Cloud Garden Site,” the ground candles depict the Milky Way between the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. Lighting a candle here is believed to make your wish come true. The “Asaji no Harano” site features bamboo installation art, with candles placed within the gaps in the bamboo. Standing among the flickering lights, you can imagine floating through Asaji no Harano.
The lighting time for the above three sites is from 19:00 to 21:45.

The “Fumii-do” site features candlelight shimmering along the edge of the Egret Pond, casting a golden glow on the Fumii-do pavilion. The swaying reflections on the water evoke visions of a heavenly realm, seemingly rippling beneath the surface – making it the most popular spot. The “Sarusawa Pond & Gojūnotō (52 Steps)” site has a sad legend associated with Sarusawa Pond. The flickering candlelight reflecting on the water seems to comfort the sorrow of the woman in the story. You can also see the Five-Story Pagoda here.
The lighting time for all sites is from 19:00 to 21:45.