2025 Toro Nagashi - An Ancient Tradition in Japan, Garden of the Phoenix (Toro Nagashi Refers to the Japanese River Lantern Festival Held in Summer)NEW

The Japanese Arts Foundation is proud to welcome you to our annual Toro Nagashi lantern ceremony, in Jackson Park’s Osaka Garden. We hope to invite you to join us in this meaningful ceremony to process the loss of loved ones, and to strengthen our bonds as a community.

Only 300 registrants will be allowed into the space and recieve a lantern to decorate and craft into any design they wish on-site from 7:00-8:00pm with the community. Available lanterns are limited, please register well in advance.

The ceremony of Toro Nagashi (literally, “floating lanterns”) is a Buddhist tradition held to celebrate the end of Obon season. Toro Nagashi can be a smaller family affair to remember lost family members or a much bigger event to memorialize those who have been lost to natural disasters, war, and other causes. Toro Nagashi officially begins at the moment the ancestors commence their return to the spirit world. Communities come together to guide the spirits down to the sea using traditional candle-lit lanterns (toro). Toro nagashi is to send off a spirit to the other world), so the lanterns visually represent the spirits’ send off to the other world..

Lanterns will be floated in the waters of the Osaka Garden pond, and can be placed throughout the garden, Yoko Ono’s SKYLANDING, and along with the sounds of shamisen courtesy of renowned musician Toyoaki Sanjuro of Asian Improv Arts Midwest will comfort guests throughout the evening. This year shares the date of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan where to this date one of the largest Toro Nagashi in the country is held to pay respect to the lives lost as a result of that tragic world event.

Esteemed speakers inclued:
• Lee Francis - First Vice-Chair - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
• Marion Mieko Friebus-Flaman, Ph.D.- Executive Director of the Japan America Society of Chicago
• TBA JACL Board Member

Capacity for the event is stricy limited to 300 people. Please register well in advance.
* Additional information will be emailed to attendees the week of the event.

This year’s ceremony is hosted by the Japanese Arts Foundation in partnership with the Chicago Park District, Asian Improv Arts Midwest, Japan America Society of Chicago, and the Japanese Culture Center.

Location: Osaka Garden, Jackson Park

Jackson Park Map

About The Japanese Arts Foundation 
The Japanese Arts Foundation is proud to welcome you to the inaugural Toro Nagashi lantern ceremony, in Jackson Park’s Garden of the Phoenix. We hope to invite you to join us in this meaningful ceremony to process the loss of loved ones, and to strengthen our bonds as a community.

About Toro Nagashi
The ceremony of Toro Nagashi (literally, “floating lanterns”) is a Buddhist tradition held to celebrate the end of the Obon season. Toro Nagashi can be a smaller family affair to remember lost family members or a much bigger event to memorialize those who have been lost to natural disasters, war, and other causes. Toro Nagashi officially begins at the moment the ancestors commence their return to the spirit world. Communities come together to guide the spirits down to the sea using traditional candle-lit lanterns (toro). Toro nagashi is to send off a spirit to the other world, so the lanterns visually represent the spirits’ send off to the other world..

Lanterns will be floated in the waters of the Garden of the Phoenix pond, and can be placed throughout the garden, Yoko Ono’s SKYLANDING, and along the Columbia Basin as guests choose. Traditional music provided by Asian Improv Arts Midwest will comfort guests throughout the evening as interfaith leaders will say a few words in honor of those lost in their own tradition.

Toro Nagashi Festivals

Event Title
Toro Nagashi An Ancient Tradition in Japan, Garden of the Phoenix (Toro Nagashi Refers to the Japanese River Lantern Festival Held in Summer)