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Join the Sendai Lantern Festival 2025 from July 11 to August 24 and enjoy over 544 lanterns, cultural activities, and lights celebrating Taiwan and Japan’s friendship.
Get ready for a summer filled with vibrant lights, cultural exchange, and meaningful moments! The Sendai Lantern Festival 2025 will be held from July 11 to August 24, transforming the city into a colorful and lively celebration space. Over this period, Sendai will be illuminated by more than 544 traditional and painted lanterns, creating a stunning visual display that highlights Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage and Sendai’s resilience and recovery.
This event not only features beautiful lanterns and performances but also emphasizes international friendship and community connection through cultural activities, food stalls, and interactive experiences. Whether you’re a local resident or visiting the city, the festival offers a unique opportunity to enjoy a summer of lights, culture, and joyful celebration.
Featuring painted lanterns from both Taiwan and Japan, the display is larger and more stunning than ever. Many lanterns have been created by Japanese artists and sent from Taiwan’s famous Tainan Lantern Festival, lighting up Sendai’s streets and skies.
Visitors can vote for their favorite lanterns! Entries are available for purchase at the event shop or online until July 31, with the top artworks judged live on August 23. It’s a fun way to get involved and celebrate local creativity!
Explore Taiwanese street foods like Dajia Pies, Pepper Buns, and Tofu, and experience night market-inspired games and tea tastings that bring authentic Taiwan flavors to Sendai.
The festival begins on July 11 with speeches, lantern exchanges from different countries, and a stage featuring live music and dance performances.
Performers include the Japanese music group SAMURAI APARTMENT from Miyagi, three dancers from the Taiwan x Fukushima dance group Fukushima Momo Musume from Taiwan, and a dancer chosen through an audition at the Sendai School of Music & Dance.
Kids and adults can create their own lanterns, relax outdoors under a canopy of glowing lights, and immerse themselves in Taiwanese culture through hands-on activities, performances, and festive atmosphere.
This year marks 20 years of friendship between Sendai and Tainan. The festival is a heartfelt tribute to the support and bonds built through shared history, culture, and mutual recovery efforts after past disasters.
Experience a night of vibrant lights, cultural exchange, and lasting friendships. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this unforgettable festival celebration!
Dates: July 11 – August 24, 2025
Open Hours: 9:00 – 21:00 (until 22:00 on weekends, holidays, and during Obon)
Lighting Times: 16:00 – 21:00 (until 22:00 on weekends, holidays, and during Obon)
Venue: Aquaignis Sendai
Address: Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai City, Wakabayashi Ward, Fujizuka, 33-3 Matsuno Nishi,
Admission is free. Fees apply for merchandise and experience activities.
Grand Opening Details:
Date & Time: July 11, 2025, 18:00–18:30
Location: Aqua Ignis Sendai, 1st floor event space
Lanterns Lighting: 18:40–19:30 (~lights around 19:00)
Location: Aqua Ignis Water Basin Area, Sarutahiko Coffee lawn
Rain or bad weather: in Piloti (roofed outdoor space on the first floor)
Official Website: https://taiwanfest-sendai.com/
Information and photo source: PR Times
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