Summer prayers in the 108 lights and gagaku along the Uzuma River
Hyakuhatto Nagashi
The 2026 edition of Hyakuhatto Nagashi has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/02Ended
- Season / frequency
- Augustfirst Sunday
- Location
- Uzuma River (around Kourai Bridge)
- Area
- Tochigi Prefecture・Tochigi City(From Tokyo: approx. 50 min–1 h · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/20
A Buddhist event in Tochigi City, where a sacred boat carrying 108 lit candles travels along the Uzuma River to the sounds of gagaku, in prayer for safe boat transport.
About Hyakuhatto Nagashi
Hyakuhatto Nagashi is a Buddhist event held on the Uzuma River, which flows through Tochigi City.
The festival embodies prayers for safe boat transport and the wish to wash away the 108 worldly desires in the water.
It is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of the city and is held in early August around the Minatocho area.
Source: 百八灯流し – 栃木市観光協会 / 【終了】百八灯流し | とちぎ旅ネット〜栃木の観光旅行情報サイト / 百八灯流し | 栃木市観光資源データベース「蔵ナビ！」
Festival highlights
The highlight is a sacred boat carrying 108 lit candles as it travels along the Uzuma River.
The boat moves to the sounds of gagaku, creating a fantastical scene where lights and music come together.
It is also said to be auspicious to keep one of the candles as a charm for safe childbirth.
Summer prayers in the 108 lights and gagaku along the Uzuma River
What to expect
During the event, 108 candles are lined along the edge of a boat and lit.
The sacred boat makes its way along the Uzuma River as lanterns are floated downstream to the sounds of gagaku.
The event’s progression is linked to the act of praying for safe boat transport and washing away the 108 worldly desires in the water.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Uzuma River, around Kourai Bridge / around Minatocho, Tochigi City
- Train and bus
Walk from Tochigi Station on the JR Ryomo Line or the Tobu Nikko Line / walk from JR and Tobu Tochigi Station
- By car
From the Tochigi IC on the Tohoku Expressway
Address Around Minatocho, Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture
Dates and season
- Listed dates
2026/08/02
- Season
Augustfirst Sunday
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Tochigi Prefecture / Tochigi City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
太平山神社
栃木県栃木市にある神社
Origins and History of Hyakuhatto Nagashi
Hyakuhatto Nagashi is said to have begun around the beginning of the Meiji era, when a Shugendo practitioner named Hoshikakuzen of Godaiin enshrined Nikko Futarasan and modeled the event on boat zazen at Lake Chuzenji.
Another account describes it as an event begun in imitation of senchojo, based on faith in Mount Nantai.
It is now designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Tochigi City.
Official information
栃木市観光協会：Tochigi City Tourism Association
Hyakuhatto Nagashi at a Glance
Hyakuhatto Nagashi is a Buddhist event that links prayers for safe boat transport on the Uzuma River with the wish to wash away the 108 worldly desires in the water.
The highlight is a sacred boat carrying 108 lit candles as it moves to the sounds of gagaku.
It is said to have begun around the beginning of the Meiji era, and it is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Tochigi City.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/20
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