Hamamatsu is set to host its first LED lantern release experience this October, organized by the Japan e-Lantern Association. The Lake Hamana Lantern takes place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the former Hotel Kokonoe site, followed by the Hamamatsu Halloween Lantern on Saturday, October 10 and Saturday, October 31, at Hamamatsu Castle Park.
Costumes are welcome at all three events. Participants are invited to dress up in their favorite Halloween outfits and take part in the simultaneous release of orange and warm-glowing lanterns into the night sky, creating a special autumn scene to enjoy with family, partners, or friends.
The lanterns used are fire-free LED lanterns that rise on helium and remain attached to a string for recovery afterward, combining environmental consideration with safety.
Event Overview
Lake Hamana Lantern
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Reception: 5:15 PM / Launch event: 6:15 PM (planned)
Venue: Former Hotel Kokonoe site
Pricing: 1 lantern (up to 4 people): from ¥4,980 / 2 lanterns (up to 6 people): from ¥7,980
Advance tickets
Hamamatsu Halloween Lantern
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Reception: 5:15 PM / Launch event: 6:15 PM (planned)
Venue: Hamamatsu Castle Park (Central Lawn Plaza)
Pricing: 1 lantern (up to 4 people): from ¥4,980 / 2 lanterns (up to 6 people): from ¥7,980
Advance tickets
Hamamatsu Halloween Lantern
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Reception: 5:45 PM / Launch event: 6:30 PM (planned)
Venue: Hamamatsu Castle Park (Central Lawn Plaza)
Pricing: 1 lantern (up to 4 people): from ¥4,980 / 2 lanterns (up to 6 people): from ¥7,980
Advance tickets
Lanterns from Rantan-ya
The Japan e-Lantern Association uses lanterns made by Rantan-ya, a maker whose products have also been used in television commercials and events hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Rantan-ya's lanterns are fire-free and LED-powered, with a string-attached design that allows them to be collected after use. Unlike lanterns made only of balloon material, they use washi paper, which gives off a soft, diffused light. The paper texture feels familiar to Japanese sensibilities and lends the lanterns a nostalgic quality.
A Moment to Remember
The organizers describe the event as being about more than simply releasing lanterns. It's about time spent thinking of someone important and looking up at the sky together to make a wish. The soft light spreading across the night sky, with everyone's thoughts overlapping in the scene, is intended to create a special space away from everyday life where the glow of the lanterns blends with the night view.
Event Organizer
Japan e-Lantern Association
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/japan_elantern/
Official website: https://e-lantern.jp
