breaking news: the uozu festival in japan — 7 massive 5-ton “boat-shaped lanterns” spin like golden tops

▲ During the Uozu Festival every year, these seven massive boat-shaped lanterns parade in front of Suwa Shrine. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ruizhong, the same below)

Reporter Chen Ruizhong / Reporting from Uozu

Japan’s annual Uozu Festival kicked off on August 4th in front of Suwa Shrine in Uozu. The first highlight was the unveiling of seven gigantic boat-shaped lanterns, each standing about 15 meters tall and weighing up to 5 metric tons. Each lantern boat is adorned with around 90 lanterns, carried and maneuvered by dozens of people, who also accelerate its rotation, making it resemble an actual treasure ship.

▲ The manually operated lantern boats weigh more than 5 metric tons.

The Uozu Festival is held annually from the first Friday to Sunday of August. Over the three evenings, various performances such as lantern boats, massive fireworks displays, and traditional dances take place, making it the most important summer celebration in Uozu. As the Uozu region is nestled between mountains and the sea, many locals historically relied on fishing for their livelihoods. Therefore, during the Uozu Festival, seven local community associations each present a representative boat-shaped lantern, which they rotate and sway to offer prayers to the gods.

▲ The lantern boats, filled with lights, symbolize offerings to the deities.

Standing approximately 15 meters tall, the top of each lantern boat features a large triangular structure layered with around 80–90 lanterns. The bottom part consists of a sled-like carriage for people to ride on and support the structure. Multiple ropes hang from the top of the lantern to the ground, which people pull to provide the main force for rotation. Because of its resemblance to a giant sailboat, it’s called a “boat-shaped lantern.” Due to its unique and iconic design, images of the lantern boats often appear on Uozu merchandise and it has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Japanese government.

▲ When the music starts, the lantern boats begin to spin faster, resembling huge spinning tops.

Outside the main festival area, the seven towering boat-shaped lanterns—each about five stories high—are lined up under the night sky, creating a spectacular sight. The lanterns appear in order based on a lottery draw. To onlookers, the participants can be roughly divided into leading, carrying, playing, and pulling teams. The leading team members pull ropes to guide and assist the carriers in moving the lantern platform, while the musicians sit atop the lanterns, continuously beating drums and playing flutes. Amid the resounding drumbeats, elegant flute melodies, and the buzz of the crowd, the lantern boats enter the shrine square.

▲ It takes a collective effort to move the 5-ton lantern boats.

With a whistle command from the boat’s leader, the carriers and rope-pullers begin moving in rhythm, pulling the ropes and carriage at the top with manpower. The enormous lantern boat then starts to spin like a top, and the music becomes even louder, creating a magnificent scene that’s hard to believe comes from a 5-ton, wheel-less giant lantern. According to locals, the rotation mimics the motion of fishing boats sailing at sea and also shows reverence to the gods. After roughly 3–4 rotations, the lantern boats are moved to the front of Suwa Shrine, where participants enter the shrine to pray for peace and safety throughout the year.

▲ Pulling the ropes at the top of the lantern boat makes it spin faster.

Unlike other festivals that are “men-only,” the Uozu Festival welcomes people of all ages and genders, so many women and children participate in the leading team, helping to pull the lanterns along to the whistle beats or even climbing onto the carriage to play music, adding to the festive and harmonious atmosphere. Even tourists visiting from afar can join in by registering in advance, making the overall mood even more lively and joyful.

▲ The lantern boats spinning under the night sky look truly majestic.

In addition to the boat-shaped lantern event on August 5th, a fireworks display and traditional dance performances will be held on the evening of August 6th, bringing the Uozu Festival to another exciting climax.