The Bold, Breathtaking Beauty of
Kiriko Lanterns beneath the Dark Night Sky —
A Lively, Thousand-Year-Old Noto Tradition

The festivals of the Noto Peninsula are known for large votive lanterns, known as Kiriko, carried by the people of the town. The Kiriko lanterns precede the mikoshi portable shrine around town, as people’s shouts echo through the night, and the flames of huge torches light the dark sky. The incredible beauty of these nights stirs the souls of the people of Noto.

Noto’s traditional Kiriko lanterns can be as tall as four-story buildings, and they are heavily influenced by Japan’s sense of beauty and religious beliefs. The gentle glow of the Kiriko lanterns at night, as they travel around town, has a unique beauty that is worth the trip to experience for yourself.

This museum was reopened in March of 2015, after relocating to Marine Town from its previous location in Tsukada Town, Wajima City. The interior recreates the magical atmosphere of the Kiriko festivals, with traditional festival music and beautiful Kiriko lanterns.

The People of Noto are Connected to Eternal Legend.
Shouldering the Mikoshi Portable Shrine in Thanks for the Bounties of Nature.

The people of Noto generously invite the gods of nature into their homes as a way to give thanks for bountiful harvests, treating them to a feast of the finest foods of land and sea alike. With their mysterious beauty, the Kiriko lanterns serve as a prayer to the gods — a way for the people of Noto to pray for prosperity in their towns.

The spirit of these festivals is still passed down through these flames, connecting the people of Noto to eternal legend through these joyous nights that fill towns with the sound of flutes and taiko drumming.

About the Noto Kiriko Festivals (in Japanese)