Top Japan Lantern Festival in 2026

Beginner-friendly with full support, so anyone can create an authentic bamboo lantern. Light it up and capture the moment—soft bamboo light perfect for photos. Not just a workshop—take home a lantern you can enjoy long after your trip. Easy to fit into your itinerary—enjoy a rewarding craft experience in a short time. Family-friendly and safe, a hands-on bamboo lantern experience parents and kids can enjoy together. Light up a gentle bamboo glow together and share a quiet, romantic moment in Nara. Perfect for anniversaries—handcrafted memories you can take home. Touch Japanese bamboo and create light—an unforgettable hands-on cultural experience. Go beyond sightseeing and experience Japanese culture with your own hands. Smell the bamboo, feel the texture, and enjoy the warm light—a five-sense experience in Nara. Take home a piece of your journey in the form of light. No experience needed—feel the joy and satisfaction of creating something yourself.

Create a poetic “Sakura Light” lantern that projects cherry blossom patterns onto the floor — a signature Rakkō (falling light) design found only in Kurashiki. Experience Japanese craftsmanship inside Saikan, a 100-year-old townhouse along Achi Shrine’s peaceful approach. Blend tradition and creativity using Kurashiki-made masking tapes and delicate paper-cut art to design your own lantern. Guided by local artisans, enjoy a mindful, hands-on workshop suitable for couples, families, and art lovers. Take home a piece of Kurashiki, a handcrafted lantern that glows with the warmth and beauty of Japanese aesthetics.

Enjoy a fun-filled way to explore Tokyo that few other visitors get to experience—and walk away with special memories of your trip—all thanks to this small-group street go-karting activity. Choose from a range of start times, meet your guide, and receive an introduction to the vehicle (plus a costume you can wear). Once you’re ready, zip off to the famous Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku, and other popular Tokyo destinations.

You can create a one-of-a-kind light that is uniquely yours. A veteran with 16 years of experience as a craftsman is available to offer advice on both the creation process and design. We also accept individual and group experiences, offer on-site classes, and provide space designs such as lighting up events. If you're unsure of the design, or if it's your first time making something or you feel hesitant, don't worry—we've got you covered. After completion, everyone ends up smiling.

Craft a unique traditional Japanese lantern using authentic washi paper in this engaging workshop located in the heart of Asakusa, Tokyo. Guided by a friendly English-speaking host, you'll delve into the art of lantern-making, starting with the construction of the frame and then applying delicate washi paper. Enjoy fascinating stories about Japanese craftsmanship and the cultural significance of your creation. The finished lantern not only showcases your artistic flair but also folds flat for easy travel, making it a practical souvenir to remind you of your Japanese adventure.

This engaging special event tour transports you to Nagano’s hidden samurai town of Matsuhiro for an afternoon of samurai experiences and discovery of the open secret beneath its feet before enjoying an early dinner and guided evening tour of the city’s near-1400 year old Zenko-ji Temple during it’s Tomyo Lantern Festival.

Visit skilled artisans whom you normally wouldn't have the chance to meet and learn about traditional crafts. Afterward, enjoy a hands-on experience painting your favorite design on a Gifu Lantern or a mini Gifu Japanese Umbrella made by the artisans. The finished piece will be an unforgettable souvenir from your trip.

Experience the timeless beauty of **Takayama** after dark on a guided walking tour through its beautifully preserved historic district. Wander along lantern-lit streets lined with traditional wooden merchant houses, discover the fascinating history of **Takayama Jinya**, and hear captivating stories that bring the city's Edo-period heritage to life. Away from the daytime crowds, the tranquil evening atmosphere offers a unique perspective of one of Japan's best-preserved old towns. The softly illuminated streets, historic architecture, and charming alleyways create exceptional opportunities for stunning nighttime photography, making this an unforgettable cultural experience.

Create your own handmade souvenir while learning a new skill and gaining greater insight into Japanese culture during a private calligraphy session. Choose whether you want to paint your Japanese kanji character onto a t-shirt, a lantern, or a traditional folding umbrella. Your private instructor tells you all you need to know to create beautiful calligraphy, plus enjoy Japanese sweets and green tea while you work.

• You can directly interact with fourth and fifth-generation Chochin lantern craftsmen from a long-established Chochin Lantern shop that was founded over 100 years ago • The experience takes place in a workshop, so you can see many professional works • In the painting experience, you can receive instruction from a professional craftsman and create your own original design • Kushida Shrine, where the Chochin lanterns from this shop are used, is located nearby.

Highlights -Learn the 400-year-old tradition of Nagoya’s paper lanterns -Create your own with guidance from a skilled craftsman -Choose washi paper and assemble a keepsake -Foldable design makes it easy to carry -Experience culture in a historic district Tour Overview Step into the world of Nagoya Chōchin, lanterns that have lit Japan’s festivals for 400 years. Backed by the Tokugawa shoguns, they are known for bamboo frames and the soft glow of washi. By the Meiji era, Nagoya was Japan’s top producer, exporting them worldwide as symbols of refined artistry. At Wazamon Chaya in Japan Culture Village, discover this heritage and make one yourself. Guided by an artisan, choose washi, paste it on the frame, and craft a lantern that folds flat — a practical, memorable souvenir. The workshop is set in Japan Culture Village, home to shrines, old shops, and cafés, where tradition and modern life meet.

A must-see for international travelers! We have organized a special experience in local Osaka where you can get hands-on with Japanese bamboo and create your own "bamboo light" by drilling patterns into the stalk. Located close to Kansai International Airport, it is easily accessible for a quick activity. You can take your finished bamboo creation home to display, adding a wonderful touch to your living space. It also makes for a perfect, photogenic shot for social media—we are confident you will love the experience!

Visitors to Tokyo seeking a fun and quirky experience should look no further than this go-kart tour starting in Asakusa. See the sights of Akihabara, Ryogoku, Nihonbashi, and elsewhere while having fun. To make sure you stand out from the crowds even further, don a cartoon character costume for your ride. Driver’s license restrictions and requirements apply.

Prepare for battle and learn the skills of the samurai during an interactive class studying the ancient Japanese martial art of kenbu. Learn everything from basic choreography movements to more complex actions that incorporate a sword and folding fan. After your class, participate in a photo session with your samurai costume and receive a certificate of completion and a souvenir towel.

Explore the vibrant nightlife of Shinjuku on this 2.5-hour private walking tour. Start your adventure at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, ascending to the 202-meter high South Observation Deck for breathtaking 360-degree views of the city’s illuminated skyline. After enjoying the panoramic sights, delve into the enchanting alleys of Omoide Yokocho, filled with yakitori stalls and nostalgic charm. Finish your evening in the neon-lit Kabukicho district, home to iconic landmarks and intriguing stories shared by your local guide. This tour provides an authentic experience of Tokyo’s nightlife without the cost of entry fees. - Private 2.5-hour walking tour of Shinjuku’s nightlife - Panoramic city views from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building - Discover hidden gems in Omoide Yokocho and Kabukicho - Insightful commentary from a knowledgeable local guide

Fold Flat & Easy to Pack! Craft your own light and portable souvenir using authentic Japanese Washi paper. Known for its organic fibers, exceptional strength, and velvety texture, Washi diffuses light into a soft, calming ambient glow. Design your personalized lampshade, watch it illuminate the room with timeless warmth, and capture unforgettable photos. The entire lampshade folds 100% flat, fitting effortlessly into your luggage without adding weight or bulk!

• You can directly interact with fourth and fifth-generation Chochin lantern craftsmen from a long-established Chochin Lantern shop that was founded over 100 years ago • The experience takes place in a workshop, so you can see many professional works • In the painting experience, you can receive instruction from a professional craftsman and create your own original design • Kushida Shrine, where the Chochin lanterns from this shop are used, is located nearby.

The bamboo used for the experience is carefully selected by the craftsmen themselves from the local bamboo forests in Tottori. The bamboo is then dried for more than two years before being used for the experience. Near the bamboo lantern workshop is the area of Sekigane, famous for "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya", which is a tale of a princess from the moon who is discovered as a baby inside the stalk of a glowing bamboo plant. Have a special experience in a place associated with bamboo. The craftsman of the bamboo lantern workshop is such a great teacher that he is entrusted with decorating events in Kyoto, Nagoya, and other cities. Become an artist under a great teacher!

Tokyo has many craft classes. Very few take place inside a studio that is still in commercial production. Here you work beside a craftsman who supplies chochin to shrines, festivals and restaurants across Tokyo, using the same washi, bamboo and brushes he uses to fill those orders. The studio itself is more than a century old. The lettering is what sets a chochin apart. Edo-moji is the brush style that grew up with Edo popular culture — the same hand seen on kabuki billboards, rakugo stages and old shop signs, each character shaped to carry strength and meaning. It is applied to your lantern by hand, in your name or a word you choose. What you carry out is not a souvenir version of the craft. It is made by the same process, carries lettering written for you alone, and there is only one of it.

A cultural experience tour that leaves memories through scent. The tour begins with creating a lantern full of Edo-era charm, followed by a luxurious yakitori lunch with the savory aroma of charcoal. Afterward, enjoy a photo session at the historic Hie Shrine. Finally, create your own incense, capturing a fragrance unique to you. The moments of the journey become a scent that will unexpectedly return to you even after you’ve returned home—a truly special day awaits. 9:50~10:00：Meeting at the south exit of Minami-Senju Station 10:00~11:00：Lantern-making experience 11:00~12:00：Travel by metro 12:00~13:30：Lunch at Torikou 13:30~13:45：Travel on foot 13:45~14:30：Sightseeing at Hie Shrine 14:30~15:00：Travel by metro 15:00~16:00：Incense and fragrance ball-making experience 16:00：Dissolution ※If the minimum number of participants is not reached, there is a possibility of cancellation.

Craft your own authentic bamboo lantern inside a traditional building. Explore a sustainable bamboo grove and capture beautiful photos. Enjoy local Udon noodles in a beautifully renovated historic Kominka. Take home your custom handmade lantern as a special souvenir.

Unlike generic cultural classes hosted in standard rental rooms, Honey J Travel grants you exclusive entry into a hidden, authentic Tokyo workshop boasting a 120-year legacy of crafting sacred lanterns for legendary local temples. Under the direct, personal guidance of a Tokyo-certified master artisan, you won't just observe history—you will actively shape it. Whether you are an absolute beginner utilizing your custom-drawn master outlines or an intermediate crafter designing entirely from scratch, this hands-on masterclass ensures a flawless, premium result. Best of all, your traditional lantern is engineered to be completely collapsible, fitting perfectly flat into any suitcase for the ultimate portable Japanese heirloom, beautifully packaged with a complimentary LED light to illuminate your creations at home.