2025 Toro Nagashi Festival Event (Performances, Taiko, Floating Lanterns is a Ceremony to Honor Those Who Passed, Beer & Sake Garden) 2 DaysNEW

Toro Nagashi (floating lanterns) is a ceremony done in honor of those who have passed. The floating lanterns commemorate loved ones and wish them peace. Guests will be able to float their candle-lit lanterns (LED candles) in the lower garden stream.

Enjoy the custom of Toro Nagashi by floating a lantern to honor those who have passed. In addition to the 9+ merchant booths, the festival includes a wide variety of performances in the Inamori Pavilion. Food vendors will be serving in the lower garden and a beer and sake garden will be available in the upper garden Exhibit Hall.

Festival Dates
August 9 - 9, 2025

Event Times
10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Schedule

Event Location
Balboa Park Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego, 2215 Pan American Rd E, San Diego, CA 92101

Event Title
Toro Nagashi Festival Event (2 Days: Fri/Sat) Performances, Taiko, Floating Lanterns is a Ceremony to Honor Those Who Passed, Beer & Sake Garden

Toro Nagashi Festivals

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(PREVIOUS YEAR EVENT)

Performance Schedule
Friday, August 5th - 12:00pm - Masazumikai
The Masazumi Kai koto ensemble, consisting of koto, shamisen, and shakuhachi, has been performing in San Diego area schools and other public areas since 1971. The group performs a variety of music ranging from classical Japanese to modern, and has even performed with a Suzuki violin group, as well as a Japanese dancing troupe.

1:00pm - The Harmonies
The Harmonies is the first Japanese chorus in San Diego established in 2003. We enjoy singing traditional Japanese songs and modern songs with our original arrangements. We have approximately 100 repertoires including American songs and others songs. We perform on a regular basis at Balboa Park, Special Japanese Events, Churches and Libraries.

2:00pm - Toro Nagashi Ceremony #1

3:00pm - G-Moto
G-Moto, a Bamboo Flute-Beatboxer, performs music covers inspired by Video Game Music, Anime, K-Pop, and more. He has performed at various cultural festivals and anime conventions, such as the 626 Night Market and Anime Expo. He was a Finalist at the 2020 Anime Los Angeles’ Next Top Star talent competition. He was also featured in Jubilee Media's SONGLAB series, ShoutOut SoCal Magazine, SD Voyager, TJS Radio, and Travel Deeper. You can find G-Moto on Instagram at @g.moto.fbx

4:00pm - Toro Nagashi Ceremony #2

5:00pm - San Diego Kendo Bu
San Diego Kendo Bu (SDKB) is the oldest and largest kendo dojo in San Diego, and one of the largest in southern California. Founded in 1972 by former Team USA member Yamanishi Sensei, with the focus on teaching kendo, or Japanese fencing, SDKB proudly brings a critical facet of budo training to the San Diego community. Since its inception, SDKB has grown into a dojo spanning 3 generations of sensei, with over 80 members, branch affiliates in Yuma, AZ and Tokyo, JPN, and a collaboration with the UC San Diego via the UCSD Recreations Class, UCSD Kendo Club, and UCSD Collegiate Kendo Team. San Diego Kendo Bu is also the only dojo in the San Diego region to have affiliation with the Japanese Self Defense Force (jietai) to have current and former members of Team USA and Team Canada, Team NCKF, and Team SCKF as part of the dojo, as well as to have frequent national and international visitors.

Saturday, August 6th - 11:00am
San Diego Japanese Hula Club
The San Diego Japanese Hula Club was started in 2017 in the beautiful sea and land of San Diego. The hula lessons are always so much fun and make time go by quickly. You can enjoy Hula dance any ages and with no prior experience . The movement of the upper body spells the feeling of lyrics by hand motion.

Although it is a relaxed movement, the legs become stronger and the posture also gets better so your body is trained.

12:00pm - Toro Nagashi Ceremony #1

1:00pm - La Jolla Taiko
La Jolla Taiko is a community-based group comprised of members of all ages and backgrounds. The group has developed a base in traditional taiko artistry and spirit, and infused that with influences from a wide range of contemporary and world music. La Jolla Taiko enjoys adding new instruments to the ensemble and experimenting with new grooves and musical timing. Committed to providing performances and classes that reflect this passion for taiko drumming, La Jolla Taiko hopes you enjoy your taiko experience, and that some part of it may inspire you as well!

2:00pm - Toro Nagashi Ceremony #2

3:00pm - The San Diego Kimono Club
San Diego Kimono club was formed in 2013. The members are all volunteers who love Japanese culture and want to carry on their Japanese heritage. They especially love wearing kimonos and have been invited to many different occasions to put on Kimono Shows. The kimonos are very special garments and some members have worn ones that are over one hundred years old. Some kimonos have been passed down from their grandmothers and their mothers. It is a beautiful family legacy.

4:00pm - Toro Nagashi Ceremony #3

5:00pm - Genbu Daiko
Formed back in August of 2015, Genbu Daiko is a contemporary percussion ensemble specializing in taiko - the art of Japanese drums. Although the team mostly drums in synchronization, the performers are encouraged to apply their individuality and interpretations to share with their audience a percussive experience in rhythmic creativity.

6:00pm - Shofukan Kendo Dojo
We are Shofukan Kendo Dojo. Our mission is to promote the very traditional yet unique sport of Kendo, which is one of few martial arts that spars at full speed and full strength with no punches pulled. We are a non-profit club. All volunteer run. 5th Dan All US Kendo Federation instructors. Our members range from 6 to 60 years in age. As a community club, we are open to everyone from beginners to advanced, with no experience necessary.

Lantern Floating Schedule
Friday - Floating Times: 2 pm or 4 pm
Saturday - Floating Times: 12 pm, 2 pm or 4 pm

Toro Nagashi (floating lanterns) is a ceremony done in honor of those who have passed. The floating lanterns commemorate loved ones and wish them peace. Guests will be able to float their candle-lit lanterns (LED candles) in the lower garden stream. Starting at 10AM on Friday, August 5th, 100 lanterns will be available for purchase and decorated in the Inamori Pavilion. First come, first served.

Beer & Sake Garden
The Japanese Friendship Garden invites guests 21+ to enjoy beer and sake samples from a variety of vendors in the Upper Garden Exhibit Hall on August 5th & 6th. 

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What are the Entrance Costs to Toro Nagashi Festival Event in San Diego?
Entrance costs: General: $14 | Student: $12* | Senior (65+): $12* | Military: $12*
Admission tickets purchased online do not have a specified date or time reservation, does not have an expiration date, and can be used whenever you plan on visiting JFG. After completing your order, you will receive a confirmation email and an email containing your e-ticket(s). Upon your arrival, have your phone or printed version of the e-ticket(s) ready to be scanned by admission staff.
- Children ages 6 years old and under are free
- No pets allowed
- Military, senior, and student tickets must be accompanied by valid identification
- Valid ID required
- San Diego Residents Free Tuesday

What are the Covid - 19 Guidelines to the Park?
Exposure and transmission of COVID-19 continues to exist in any public area where people are present. JFG’s reopening policies were created in response to COVID-19 with the safety of guests and JFG staff in mind. By visiting the Japanese Friendship Garden, guests assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

What are there Permanent Collections at the Balboa Friendship Garden?
See them here
Artifacts
Bonsai Garden
Kannon Bosatsu
Koi Collection
Living Exhibition
Kongo Rikishi / Nio