On June 25, 2024, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City, lit up about 1,700 lanterns in the shrine grounds for the "Manto Festival," which is held once every 25 years in memory of the enshrined deity, Sugawara no Michizane. The soft lights are a precursor to the festival to be held three years later, and attract the attention of worshippers.
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine holds the "Daimanto Festival" every 50 years after Sugawara no Michizane's death, as well as the Hanmanto Festival in between. The next one will be held in 2027, marking the 1,125th anniversary of Sugawara no Michizane's death, and the lanterns were lit as a precursor.
A lighting ceremony was held in front of the main shrine at around 4:30 p.m. on the day. About 100 believers, geisha, and local residents walked from the "Ichino Torii" gate to take part in the ceremony, carrying small lanterns. As attendees looked on, a priest lit candles in four stone lanterns, which then lit up the 1,700 paper lanterns lined up neatly along the approach to the shrine, soon floating into the night sky.
The lanterns will remain up until 2027. The shrine normally closes at 5pm, but on the 25th of each month, when there is a festival, and during the illumination period, the gates are open until 8pm.
