"Bon Bamboo Lantern Festival in Miura Peninsula 2026" to be Held from July 4 to August 30

Bon Bamboo Lantern Festival Flyer (Front)

Bon Bamboo Lantern Festival Flyer (Back)

MONKS Miura Peninsula (Location: Jyorakuji Temple, 2-30-5 Ashina, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative: Kenshi Tsuchikawa) has formed the Bon Bamboo Lantern Festival Executive Committee (comprising the chief priests and vice-chief priests of Enpukuji, Fukusenji, Jyorakuji, Manshoji, Fujidaiji, and Tozenji temples) and will hold the "Bon Bamboo Lantern Festival in Miura Peninsula 2026" from Saturday, July 4, 2026, to Sunday, August 30, 2026, at six temples on the Miura Peninsula.

This festival is a summer tradition where bamboo lanterns, made from bamboo generated from bamboo forest maintenance, are lit within the temple grounds, serving as a stage at each temple on the Miura Peninsula. It allows visitors to remember their departed loved ones and experience the region's history and culture. This year, in addition to "Letter Offering," "Tanabata Decorations," and a "Stamp Rally," a variety of events enjoyable for all ages, such as Bon Odori dances, jazz performances, and disaster prevention workshops, will be held at each temple.

<Three Features>

1: Transforming Bamboo Forest Maintenance Byproducts into Regional Culture

Utilizing bamboo cut during bamboo forest maintenance conducted in various parts of the Miura Peninsula, this initiative balances environmental conservation with the revitalization of regional culture. Bamboo lanterns illuminate the temple grounds at each venue, creating a mystical atmosphere.

2: "Letter Offering" to Convey Your Heart

The "Letter Offering," where letters expressing thoughts to departed loved ones are placed in a special mailbox, will be held at all festival venues. It's an opportunity to send messages to your ancestors through letters, especially during the Obon season.

3: Make a Wish on a Tanzaku Strip for Tanabata

Tanabata is said to have originated from the spirit altar of Obon. Visitors can dedicate tanzaku strips with their wishes, including prayers for improvement, to the Tanabata decorations set up at each temple.

<Participating Temples and Event Details>

Fukusenji Temple (Mito, Hatsuse-cho, Miura City)

Fukusenji Temple (Mito, Hatsuse-cho, Miura City)

Date: Sunday, July 26 Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Main Events:

Disaster Prevention Discussion for Everyone (Parishioners' Hall / 5:00 PM -) Irosumi Art Workshop, Chiffon Cake & Coffee (Chiai-den / 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM) MiU-La Project (Main Hall / 6:00 PM -) JAZZ Performance (Main Hall / 7:00 PM -) Tanabata Decorations, Letter Offering, Children's Stamp Rally (Temple Grounds / All Day) 6 Food Trucks (with dining area)

Location: 1020 Mito, Hatsuse-cho, Miura City (15 parking spaces) Contact: 046-888-1959

Jyorakuji Temple (Ashina, Yokosuka City)

Date: Friday, August 14 & Saturday, August 15 Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Main Events:

August 14 (Fri): Ghost Story Challenge at the Grave of Mitsu Maejima (8:00 PM -) / Sparkler Festival (8:30 PM -)

August 15 (Sat): Urabon-e Service (4:00 PM -) / Bon Odori Dance (6:30 PM - 8:00 PM) Tanabata Decorations, Letter Offering (Temple Grounds / All Day) Approximately 10 food trucks each day

Location: 2-30-5 Ashina, Yokosuka City (15 parking spaces) Contact: 046-856-8622

Manshoji Temple (Ohyabe, Yokosuka City)

Manshoji Temple (Ohyabe, Yokosuka City)

Date: Sunday, August 30 Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Main Events:

Performance by the monk band "forblue" (scheduled for 6:00 PM -) Letter Offering, Tanabata Tanzaku Decoration (Temple Grounds / All Day) 3 food stalls

Location: 1-5-10 Ohyabe, Yokosuka City (10 parking spaces) Contact: 046-836-2317

Fujidaiji Temple (Nagai, Yokosuka City)

Fujidaiji Temple (Nagai, Yokosuka City)

Date: Saturday, July 4 Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Main Events:

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Yokosuka Karuta Card Game Tournament 8:00 PM - Bamboo Lantern Festival Memorial Service Candy Fishing, Letter Offering, Tanabata Decorations (All Day)

Location: 5-1-1 Nagai, Yokosuka City (No parking) Contact: 046-856-2352

Tozenji Temple (Take, Yokosuka City)

Date: Saturday, August 1 & Sunday, August 2 Time: 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Main Events:

August 1 (Sat): Bon Odori Dance in the Temple Grounds (Hana no Kai / 6:00 PM -)

August 2 (Sun): Refreshment Space in the Main Hall (6:00 PM -) 1st Floor of Tozenji Kaikan: Merchandise, Workshops, and Mini Festival Tanabata Decorations, Letter Offering, Children's Stamp Rally

Location: 2-12-13 Take, Yokosuka City (Approx. 35 parking spaces) Contact: 046-856-0221

Enpukuji Temple (Kaneda, Minami-shitaura-cho, Miura City)

Enpukuji Temple (Kaneda, Minami-shitaura-cho, Miura City)

Date: Sunday, August 23 Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Main Events:

Jizo Son Unveiling (8:00 AM - 9:00 PM) Letter Offering, Bamboo Lantern Temple Stamp Book Distribution (All Day) 3 food stalls from 5:00 PM

Location: 258 Kaneda, Minami-shitaura-cho, Miura City (20 parking spaces) Contact: 046-888-0038

<Notes for Visitors>

Children below elementary school age must be accompanied by a guardian. We recommend using public transportation to visit the temples. Please cooperate by refraining from making loud noises at night. Please take your trash home with you. Please be considerate of the local residents.

<Organization Information> About MONKS Miura Peninsula

Location: 240-0104 Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokosuka City, Ashina 2-30-5 (within Jyorakuji Temple) Representative: Kenshi Tsuchikawa (Vice-chief priest of Jyorakuji Temple) TEL/FAX: 046-856-8622

Mail: info@jorakuji.jp WEB: https://bushidobunka.com

MONKS Miura Peninsula, the organization planning and operating this festival, is a regional revitalization network of young monks on the Miura Peninsula. Amidst the declining birthrate and aging population, they hold events aimed at cultural inheritance and community exchange, with the goal of temples once again serving as community hubs.