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Click here learn more about Shoro Nagashi, our floating lantern festival.
An Evening of Japanese Tradition and Memory
Shōrō Nagashi – Floating Lantern Festival
EVENT
May 17th 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
(Check-in starts at 5:15 pm / Last admission at 7:30 pm)
Celebrate the spirit of Obon at the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix with a special evening centered on Shōrō Nagashi—the cherished lantern-floating tradition that honors the memories of our loved ones and ancestors.
While Obon is traditionally observed in August in Japan, Arizona’s summer heat invites us to gather outdoors in May, when we can comfortably share this meaningful cultural experience beneath the desert sky. This seasonal adaptation allows our Phoenix community to come together in remembrance, reflection, and connection.
Event Schedule
LANTERN ACTIVITY
5:30 pm-7:30 pm: Customize a lantern with drawings or messages and float it on the pond. Lanterns are not included and will cost $5 per lantern.
STAGE PROGRAM:
Intermission
The garden will close by 8:30 pm.
6:00 pm-6:15 pm :
Opening Ceremony – Chanting by Arizona Buddhist Temple Monks from the Arizona Buddhist Temple will lead a traditional chanting ceremony to open the event. This peaceful ritual offers a moment of reflection and honors those who have passed, setting a mindful tone for the program.
6:30 pm-7:00 pm:
Obon Dance (Bon Odori) - led by the Arizona Buddhist Temple. The Obon Dance is a traditional Japanese folk dance performed during the Obon Festival to honor and remember the spirits of ancestors. Danced in a circle with simple, joyful movements, it brings communities together in celebration and remembrance.
7:30 pm – 8:00 pm:
Obon Dance (Bon Odori) - led by the Arizona Buddhist Temple.
Activities
Lantern Making – $5
Join us for a special Obon tradition by creating your own floating lantern to honor loved ones. For $5, guests can decorate a lantern with names, messages, or wishes, then release it onto the pond in a peaceful Shōrōnagashi (精霊流し) ceremony—symbolically guiding ancestral spirits back to the spirit world. A reflective and meaningful experience for a
Fan Making – $5
Create your own decorative fan as part of our Obon celebration. For $5, guests can personalize a traditional-style fan with colors, patterns, or meaningful messages inspired by remembrance and community.
Often used during Bon Odori dancing, fans symbolize harmony and the spreading of good fortune. A fun and creative activity for all ages, and a beautiful keepsake to take home from the evening.
The Fishing Game – $5
Players are given a fishing pole and they must toss their “Fishing line” over a decorative screen representing the “Sea.” What treasures will you unveil from the depths? A game for children and the young at heart alike.
