TAKETA BAMBOO LANTERN CHIKURAKU / Taketa City

The Taketa Bamboo Lantern Chikuraku is a beautiful autumn event held in mid–November in Taketa City each year. It was started in 2000 by local residents, utilising bamboo sourced from a logging operation responsible for the maintenance of the village forest. Approximately 20,000 bamboo lanterns gently illuminate the castle town, and it has now become a cherished autumn tradition in Taketa City.

The bamboo lanterns are a simple design, made in sets of three and lit by a special candle to showcase the bamboo’s original texture without carvings, coloured lights or other decorations. The gentle glow of the dancing flames cast shadows on the Samurai residences and ancient temples which still retain traces of the Oka Clan period, accentuating the magnificence of the historic townscape. In 2024, the festival marked its 25th anniversary, drawing around 124,000 visitors over three days. During the festival, local restaurants and food stalls line the streets, and workshops led by artists are also available. Coupled with the stunning autumn foliage, visitors can enjoy the full charm of Taketa at both day and night.