Kyoto
Aug 16
Arashiyama Park Nakanoshima Area
On the last day of the Obon holidays, it is said that the ancestors’ spirits are sent back to the heavens. As a gesture of farewell, 6,000 to 7,000 floating lanterns are released on Katsura River. The event coincides with Gozan-no-Okuribi or Daimonji, which is also dedicated to sending back the spirits, as some of the lit up mountains can be seen from the park.