On Saturday, August 29, 2026, the streets of Ryujin Onsen in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, will be lit up with lanterns for a single night as part of the "2026 Summer Lantern Festival," hosted by the Ryujin Tourism Association (a public-interest incorporated association). The evening's program includes a lantern-lit walk through the hot spring town, a photo shoot, a photo exhibition, and a quiz about Ryujin Village. The event will be cancelled in the event of rain, and unlike in past years, there will be no 10-day lighting period.
Background
Known as one of the "Three Great Beauty Hot Springs of Japan," Ryujin Onsen sets the stage for the 2026 Summer Lantern Festival, where the glow of lanterns and bamboo lanterns brings out a side of Ryujin not usually seen after dark.
Lanterns will be set up throughout Ryujin Onsen, and bamboo lanterns will light Onsenji Temple. Visitors can enjoy a nighttime stroll and photography amid the once-a-year scenery. Guests are also welcome to visit in yukata.
Hot Spring Town Light Walk
From 6:00 PM, lanterns will be set up throughout Ryujin Onsen. Bamboo lanterns will also be placed at Onsenji Temple, filling the temple grounds with a warm, gentle glow.
Photo Shoot
From 6:30 PM, a photo shoot will take place in the lantern-lit streets of Ryujin Onsen, with several models expected to take part. The event is open to anyone, professional or amateur, and no advance registration is required.
Participants must submit at least one photo taken at the event to the "2026 Summer Lantern Festival Photo Contest."
A Photo Exhibition Through Time
From 1:00 PM, winning entries from the Lantern Festival photo contest will be displayed in front of participating facilities. Visitors can enjoy the exhibited works alongside the scenery of Ryujin.
Test Your Ryujin Knowledge!
From 1:00 PM, visitors can try a quiz about Ryujin hidden among the works on display at "A Photo Exhibition Through Time." Participants have a chance to win local specialty products.
Event Overview
- Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
- Venue: Ryujin Onsen (Ryujin, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture)
- Organizer: Ryujin Tourism Association
- Weather policy: Cancelled in the event of rain
- How to join the photo shoot: Register at the event headquarters on the day
- Visitor perks: Available
- Note: Unlike in past years, there will be no 10-day lighting period
- Official event website: https://www.ryujin-kanko.jp/2026/08/17/4746/
2026 Summer Lantern Festival Photo Contest
Entries are being accepted for photos of the "2026 Summer Lantern Festival" taken within Ryujin Village.
Theme and Shooting Date
- Theme: Photos of the "2026 Summer Lantern Festival" taken within Ryujin Village
- Shooting date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
- Entry deadline: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 (postmark valid)
Facilities Displaying Lanterns
- Kamigoten Ryokan (旅館上御殿)
- Shimogoten Ryokan (旅館下御殿)
- Yukenya Ryokan (旅館有軒屋)
- Yorozuya Ryokan (旅館萬屋)
- Magokoro no Yado Marui (まごころの宿丸井)
- Bijintei (美人亭)
- Kirari Ryujin (季楽里龍神)
- Ryujin Onsen Motoyu (龍神温泉元湯)
- Hottate Goya (ほったて小屋)
- Furukubo Shoten (古久保商店)
- Aruesu (亜瑠絵巣)
- Hanaya Shoten (花屋商店)
Entry Requirements
- Entries must be photos taken by the applicant.
- Up to 3 entries per person; only 1 prize per person.
- Printed photos taken with a digital camera or mobile phone camera.
- Size: yotsugiri (quarter-size print, wide format accepted) or A4.
- If people appear in the photo, their consent must be obtained.
- No digital editing, compositing, or retouching.
- The photo must clearly show a lit lantern or lantern-style light at a participating facility or the venue.
How to Apply
Fill out the required information on an entry form, attach it to the back of your photo, and mail or bring it to the Ryujin Tourism Association. If an entry form is not available, entrants may write the following information on a memo instead:
- Location photographed
- Date and time photographed
- Postal code and address
- Name (with furigana)
- Age
- Phone number
- Title of the work
Prizes
- Grand Prize (1 winner): Local specialty products worth ¥10,000
- Runner-up Prize (1 winner): Local specialty products worth ¥5,000
- Hotto Prize (1 winner): Ryujin Onsen merchandise
Judging will take place in September, with winners notified individually and results announced on the official website and elsewhere.
Entry Notes
- Winning entries must be submitted as digital data.
- Copyright of each work belongs to the photographer; usage rights belong to the organizer.
- Winning entries may be used in the organizer's flyers, posters, website, and other promotional materials.
- Entries will not be returned.
- Winners' names, addresses, and ages may be published on the website and elsewhere.
Photo Shoot Overview
- Date and time: Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 6:30 PM
- Location: Ryujin Onsen
- Subject: The Lantern Festival; a lit lantern must appear in every photo
- Eligibility: Open to anyone, professional or amateur
- How to join: No registration required; simply arrive on site
- Condition of entry: At least one photo taken must be submitted to the Lantern Festival Photo Contest
- Weather policy: Cancelled in the event of rain
- Note: The organizer is not responsible for any accidents
