Bamboo Lanterns Illuminate Late Autumn Nights Oita's Three Great Bamboo Lanterns 2025

Oita Prefecture is Japan's largest producer of madake bamboo, which has been used to make bamboo crafts such as baskets and bamboo vessels. However, as demand has decreased due to changing lifestyles, abandoned bamboo forests have increased and satoyama are in danger of collapsing. The three cities have started such an event, "Bamboo Festival in Oita City," to protect the satoyama by cutting down bamboo trees, and to illuminate the town by making lanterns from the bamboo cut down. A photo contest with prizes for SNS submissions was also held. This year again, bamboo lanterns will be lit in Oita's castle town and the Tenryo area.

Usuki Takeyohi, Usuki City

The beautiful Princess Hannya comes back to life as the bamboo lanterns sway.

This year marks the 30th "Usuki Bamboo Evening" in the castle town of Usuki, known for its "Usuki Stone Buddha.
Around 20,000 bamboo lanterns and objets d'art are lit every year, mainly around the "Niouza Historical Road" where the old townscape continues. The beautiful scenery is recognized as a "Japan Nightscape Heritage".

The highlight of the event is the procession of the legendary beauty, Hannya Hime.
Princess Hannya, the daughter of the chief who created the Usuki Stone Buddha, was united with a prince and gave birth to Princess Tamae, but died when the ship heading to the imperial court where the prince was waiting for her sank. The scene is reenacted in which her spirit returns home to the port of Usuki with an envoy from the Imperial Court. Every year, the "Princess Hannya" is chosen from among local women. Who will be the Prajna-hime is kept a secret until the day of the event.

The photo contest is open to any subject taken during this year's event, including the scenery of Usuki, Take Yoi, Hannya Hime, etc. Post your photo on Instagram with "# Usuki Take Yoi Photo Contest 2025". The grand prize winner will receive a 20,000 yen Usuki fugu meal coupon as well as the right to be featured in the next year's flyer and photo exhibition.
For more information, please visit the official website of Usuki Take Yoi.

Hita City, Tenryo Hita Millennium Akari

Bamboo-lit night strolls, town walks in the daytime dressed as townspeople and town girls

The former Mameda Town in Hita prospered as a territory under the direct control of the Shogunate during the Edo period (1603-1867). This year marks the 21st "Tenryo Hita Millennium Akari" of bamboo lanterns.
Hita has long planted "Hita cedar" and "Hita cypress" and produced wooden products such as Hita geta. Bamboos encroaching on the cedar and cypress forests were originally cut down and used for bamboo lantern events. The bamboo lanterns light up the Mameda area, a traditional building preservation district, and the area around the banks of the Hanazuki River, providing an enjoyable stroll on a late autumn evening.

The "Hita Tenryo Festival" will also be held at the same time on the 8th and 9th during the festival period. This festival is also held in the Mameda area, and this year marks the 46th time it has been held. The festival recreates the prosperity of the Edo period when the area was under the direct control of the shogunate, and there is a Nishikoku-suji county parade of people dressed as Edo period warriors and koshimonos. There is also a period costume experience for the general public (for a fee). Visitors can also tour the marche and special stalls as a samurai, a merchant, or a town girl.

Takeda City, Takeda Bamboo Lantern "Chikuraku

Enter an ethereal world of flickering candles from three bamboo lanterns

Takeda City, the castle town of the Oka clan, is the birthplace of Taki Rentaro, who composed "The Moon Over the Deserted Castle. This year marks the 26th "Takeda Bamboo Lantern 'Chikuraku'", which is backed by activities to preserve the satoyama.
After all, the event aims to revitalize the city by reusing the bamboo that has been cut down. The rules for the 20,000 bamboo lanterns include "three-piece sets made in a certain ratio," "no carving," and "no processing such as pasting Japanese paper or cellophane. Special candles will be used to light the lanterns.
This creates an ethereal world of flickering candlelight and a harmonious array of lights. Hirose Shrine, the Rentaro Tunnel, the Sixteen Arhats, and other famous places in Takeda will be illuminated by bamboo lanterns. Slow food stalls and a stage will be set up at a special venue where visitors can enjoy Takeda's food and music events.

Now, "Takenaka Bamboo Lantern "Takegaku"" is also holding a photo contest. Take free photos of the fantastic scenery of the event, including preparation scenes, and post them on Instagram or in the phase book by following the official Instagram and adding "# Your favorite Takegaku". Ten winners will be selected by lottery to win a "Takeda Fun Box" worth 3,000 yen. For more information, visit the official website of the Takeda City Tourism Association.
Also, the autumn foliage is at its peak during the period. Don't miss the autumn foliage at Takeda Castle Ruins, a national historic site.