[2026] The Matsusaka Lantern Festival will be held to light up the winter night sky!

We will introduce the largest lantern festival in Mie Prefecture, which is held every year in Mie Prefecture , Mie Matsusaka City .

Written by

Matsusaka City Tourism Exchange Division

Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture is located almost in the center of Japan, where you can enjoy world-class gourmet Matsusaka beef, rich history and culture, and beautiful nature. During the Edo period, Matsusaka was the final post town for pilgrimages to Ise-mairi (a pilgrimage to Japan's highest-ranking shrine). These merchants succeeded in trading Matsusaka cotton in Edo and brought prosperity to Matsusaka.

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Lantern Festival held in Matsusaka City , Mie Prefecture !

Matsusaka City is located almost in the Chuo of Mie Prefecture .

This year, Matsusaka City will be hosting one of the largest lantern festivals in Mie Prefecture!

We will introduce plenty of attractions that both adults and children can enjoy, from sky lanterns that light up the winter night sky, to gourmet events full of delicious food, and even spectacular stage events.

Matsusaka Lantern Festival special website

Matsusaka Lantern Festival official Instagram is here

Where is the Matsusaka Lantern Festival held? When is it held?

The Matsusaka Lantern Festival will be held at Matsusaka Castle Ruins and Matsusaka Park Grounds for two days, February 7th (Sat) and 8th (Sun), 2026, from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM (last entrance at 8:45 PM).

Admission is free.

What is the Matsusaka Lantern Festival?

Here are three highlights of the event!

Highlight 1: Sky lantern launching

The first highlight is the main event, the sky lantern launching!

At Chikki Douan Moo Moo Stadium, participants will launch lanterns into the night sky along with their wishes.

There will also be a fireworks show at the finale.

Enjoy a magical winter night.

[Venue] Chikki Douan Moo Moo Stadium (Matsusaka Park Ground)

[Price] Sky lantern participation ticket: 3,500 yen per lantern

・750 units per day/Advance registration required/First come, first served

・Up to three companions can accompany each sky lantern

・ Viewing only is free

・Includes special admission tickets to cultural facilities in Matsusaka City

→One ticket grants free admission to one designated facility per person.

[Target facilities] Motoori Norinaga Memorial Museum / Former Hasegawa Jirobei House / Former Ozu Seizaemon House /

Harada Jiro Former Residence/ Matsusaka City History and Folklore Museum

*Usage deadline: February 9, 2026 (Monday)

[For details on ticket sales, etc., please click here] https://matsusaka-lantern.info/

Highlight 2: Vietnamese lanterns decorating the Matsusaka Castle ruins

The Oshokaku Garden at the Matsusaka Castle Ruins is decorated with colorful lanterns from Hoi An, Vietnam.

Hoi An in Vietnam has a tourism exchange agreement with Matsusaka City.

Enjoy the story of Matsusaka and Hoi An, which have had exchanges since the Edo period.

You can also try on the Vietnamese traditional dress, the Ao Dai.

Why not take this opportunity to experience the culture of Hoi An, Vietnam?

[Venue] Matsusaka Castle Ruins, Sakurakaku Garden

[Fee] Free

Highlight 3: Stage Show & Gourmet Area

There are plenty of other events besides lanterns at Matsusaka Castle Ruins!

Various artists will perform stage shows at the Matsusaka Castle Ruins Honmaru venue (free admission).

-Stage show time schedule-

[Saturday, February 7th]

15:00 AMIY

15:45 DANGOMUSHI

16:25 W.Sayaka

17:05 Cilvie Boo

17:45 Quyet Vuong Tuyet

18:30 etsuco

19:15 Mahiru

20:10 Night Bubble Show

[Sunday, February 8th]

15:00 Mie High School Dance Club SERIOUS FLAVOR

15:45 Chimney Reverb

16:05 Intense

16:30 Mie High School Dance Club SERIOUS FLAVOR

17:00 Youth Supporter Gamusara

17:30 Planar Saxophone Quartet

18:30 Youth Supporter Gamusara

18:50 Planar Saxophone Quartet

19:15 Otomusha

20:10 Night Bubble Show

A gourmet area will be opened at the lower level of the Matsusaka Castle ruins Honmaru.

You can enjoy a variety of gourmet foods, including Matsusaka beef, which is synonymous with Matsusaka .

Matsusaka beef sushi made by former sushi chef Yamako

Tsukimi Yagura &A will be serving sushi, mainly Matsusaka beef nigiri, exclusive to the event.

Local sake breweries and wholesalers' drinker stalls

Kokubu, a long-established wholesaler with ties to Matsusaka, teams up with a local sake brewery!

Please enjoy our sake and snacks that will warm you on a cold night.

Free tasting of Vietnamese dish "Chicken Pho"

We will be offering 500 servings on a first-come, first-served basis each day. Enjoy the authentic taste while it's still warm!

*Ends while supplies last.

Matsusaka"Three Great Meats" Booth

The menu features Matsusaka's three most famous meats: Matsusaka beef, Matsusaka pork, and Matsusaka Chicken Yakiniku.

Furthermore, at the Matsusaka Castle Ruins Ninomaru venue, there will be a huge collection of hot gourmet food made with ingredients from Mie, Matsusaka! Warm your body and soul.

Access to the venue

The sky lantern launch and fireworks show will be held at CHIKKIDOUAN Moo Moo Stadium (Matsusaka Park Grounds), and other events will be held at Matsusaka Castle Ruins.

Access to both venues is as follows:

[Access by train]

Approximately 15 minutes' walk from JR/Kintetsu Matsusaka Station

Bus from the station

・Mie Bus: City Park Town Line to Chuo Hospital / Asaka Ono Line to Ichishi Ureshino

3 minutes from "City Hall"

・Get off at "City Hall" stop on the Suzunone Bus City Loop Line

[Access by car]

Approximately 15 minutes by car from Matsusaka IC on the Ise Expressway

Parking (free)

・Matsusaka City Parking Lot in front of Matsusaka City Hospital

・Matsusaka City Hall Parking Lot

・Daiichi Elementary School Grounds

・Tonomachi Junior High School Grounds

*Please see the official website for parking availability times and number of spaces.

https://matsusaka-lantern.info/

How was it?

This fantastical event takes place on a winter night.

The event was packed with activities, including releasing sky lanterns carrying everyone's wishes, and an exhibition of lanterns from Hoi An, Vietnam!

For the latest information, please check the Matsusaka Lantern Festival official website ( https://matsusaka-lantern.info/ ) and official Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/matsusaka_lantern/ ).

This winter, spend a heartwarming night in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture !

" Matsusaka Lantern Festival (Hikari, Tsumugu, Matsusaka)"

Date and Time

Saturday, February 7th and Sunday, February 8th, 2026 15:00-21:00

*Event times vary depending on the event content.

*Will proceed in light rain but will be cancelled in severe weather

venue

・The Matsusaka Castle ruins area (Mie Prefecture, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture)

・Chikuki Douan CHIKKIDOUAN Moo Moo Stadium

*The venue will vary depending on the event.

Fee

Free admission

*Sky lantern participation ticket: 3,500 yen per lantern

050-1808-5035 (FAMIE Co., Ltd.) (Organizer: Visit Matsusaka Executive Committee)

Official website

https://matsusaka-lantern.info/

Official Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/matsusaka_lantern/

Matsusaka City Tourism Official Instagram (Japanese)

https://www.instagram.com/visit_matsusaka/

Matsusaka City Tourism Official Instagram (English)

https://www.instagram.com/discover_matsusaka/

Written by

Matsusaka City Tourism Exchange Division

Mie

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