Kiriko are illuminated from the inside and they are decorated with large Kanji characters or with paintings. (Photo: Alena Eckelmann)

Noto’s Kiriko Festivals

What Nebuta is to Aomori, Kiriko is to Noto

Kiriko are illuminated from the inside and they are decorated with large Kanji characters or with paintings. (Photo: Alena Eckelmann)
Alena Eckelmann   - 1 min read

Kiriko are large lanterns that are carried around during summer festivals on the Noto Peninsula. There are said to be 800-900 Kiriko lanterns on Noto. Kiriko usually accompany Mikoshi (portable shrines) during these festivals. About 180 Kiriko festivals are staged on Noto from July to September. There are 30 Kiriko festivals in Wajima City alone.

View the Official website for more information!

Alena Eckelmann

Alena Eckelmann @alena.eckelmann

Founder of Kii Monogatari, my story and the story of the Kii Peninsula of Japan. Originally from East Germany, I came to Tokyo, via Berlin and London, in 2005. In summer 2011 I moved by choice to remote Kumano in the south of the Kii Peninsula where I live, work and play now, and explore every da...