Tuesday, March 31, 2026
- 1 Light dances, carrying wishes. The 4th Sky Lantern Festival | Hokuryu Town
- 2 Event Overview
- 3 Let's put everyone's wishes into the lanterns.
- 4 The story of Nobuyuki Murakami, who conceived, planned, and managed the project.
- 5 performance
- 6 Finally, it's time to launch the sky lanterns!
- 7 Souvenirs: A delightful gift of sweets for the children!
- 8 YouTube videos
- 9 Other photos
- 10 Related articles
Light dances, carrying wishes. The 4th Sky Lantern Festival | Hokuryu Town
On Saturday, March 28th, the 4th Sky Lantern Festival was held at the Hokuryu Town Rural Environment Improvement Center. The event was organized by Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen, and planned by community support staff and the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team. The Hokuryu Town Board of Education, Yawara Nursery School, Shinryu Elementary School, Hokuryu Junior High School, and Hokuryu Taiko (drumming group) cooperated, making it a night filled with smiles and excitement for children throughout the community.
Event Overview
- Date and Time:Saturday, March 28, 2026 16:00-19:00
- venue:Hokuryu Town Rural Environment Improvement Center Gymnasium
- Organizer:Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen
- Planning and Management:Community support staff: Nobuyuki Murakami; Regional revitalization cooperation team members: Aki Shiraishi, Yuto Sakai, Masayuki Takatsuki, Tsubasa Niida
- cooperation:Hokuryu Town Board of Education, Yawara Nursery School, Shinryu Elementary School, Hokuryu Junior High School, Hokuryu Taiko Drums
- Participants:Over 100 people including children and students from nurseries, elementary schools, and junior high schools, their families, and related parties.
Let's put everyone's wishes into the lanterns.
Before the event began, about 75 participants gathered in the community space within the improvement center. Each person drew their own wishes or pictures on lantern balloons. Everyone's wishes were drawn on the balloons.
"May all children in the world live in peace!"
"I want to get better at kanji."
"I hope you'll be able to eat a lot!"
"Greet people with a smile in the morning!"
Many wonderful pictures were drawn. It was as if each balloon contained the entirety of the child's present moment.
The lantern balloon used this time is the "LED Sky Lantern®," which does not use fire. It is made by inflating a square, vinyl balloon-like shape with helium gas, and attaching an LED light to the bottom with double-sided tape. Since it comes with kite string and a weight, it can be retrieved after being launched. Safe and reusable. This design also embodies consideration for children.
The story of Nobuyuki Murakami, who conceived, planned, and managed the project.
"This is our fourth time holding the Sky Lantern event. We hope the children of Hokuryu Town will enjoy it and create lasting memories for them."
We expect the event to have around 150 participants, including children from Yawara Nursery School, Elementary School, and Junior High School, as well as their families.
It's getting more and more exciting every year. We will continue to hold this event so that as many townspeople as possible can participate and enjoy it. Thank you."
In the gaze of community support worker Nobuyuki Murakami, a deep love for the children and a quiet hope for the future of this town shone brightly.
The event was emceed by Aki Shiraishi, a member of the regional revitalization team. Her cheerful and energetic voice guided the event, filling the entire venue with a bright and warm atmosphere.
performance
Juggling | Extreme Hiroki Serikawa
Born and residing in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido in 1994. An extreme entertainer based in northern Hokkaido who performs worldwide. He excels at club juggling, mouth balancing, and plate spinning, and has been passionate about kendama, Rubik's Cube, and pen spinning since childhood.
I started juggling after entering university in 2012, and in 2018 I trained in street performance in Australia.
He holds licenses as a Tokyo Metropolitan Government-certified Heaven Artist, Atsugi Street Performer in Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and Greenland Performer in Iwamizawa City, Hokkaido. His juggling, created with delicate fingertips, is truly "extreme."
The performance captivated the children, and enthusiastic cheers erupted throughout the venue.
When a challenge fails, the message is: "Keep trying! Try again! Don't give up!"
The moment they succeeded, everyone erupted in cheers. Their never-give-up spirit and the warmth of supporting each other's challenges—it was a dazzling sight from the children of Hokuryu.
Hokuryu Taiko
The powerful and majestic sound of the drums resonated throughout the venue. The young children stomped their feet and swayed their bodies in time with the rhythm of the drums, resonating with the music. Some children even spontaneously did cartwheels and moved around! It was a moment when the heartbeat of the drums reached deep into the children's bodies.
Finally, it's time to launch the sky lanterns!
The lights in the building went out—and the lantern balloons, along with their light, gently floated up to the ceiling. Some floated slowly and gently, while others spun around at high speed like spaceships as they rose towards the ceiling—each a unique and colorful lantern balloon.
I was captivated by the fantastical space created by the beautiful lantern balloons floating in the air, their warm glow carrying everyone's heartfelt wishes. It was a moving moment, a time when my heart felt light and warm. The lantern light projected onto the floor was also enchanting.
Souvenirs: A delightful gift of sweets for the children!
At the end of the event, children in junior high school and younger were presented with delightful candy gifts. The smiles on the children's faces as they received their treats were the best gift of the evening.
With the soft glow of a lantern balloon, we pour our heartfelt, poignant feelings and gratitude into the magical atmosphere of a "sky lantern," creating a truly enchanting experience for the whole family. We offer this with boundless love, gratitude, and prayers.
YouTube videos
Other photos
Related articles
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