Hiroshima Lantern Ceremony

Highlights

Highlights

Hiroshima Lantern Ceremony

Date: August 6

Venue: Hiroshima

Details:

On August 6, 1945, the United States detonated a nuclear weapon over downtown Hiroshima. The bomb claimed 90,000 to 166,000 lives and threw the world into the nuclear age. Each year, Hiroshima holds a traditional memorial for those killed in the bombing. Many people in the area lost relatives in the attack. According to the city, the ceremony is also in hopes of peace and nuclear disarmament. The ceremony, known as Toro Nagashi involves releasing floating lanterns in Motoyasu River just upriver of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. The floating lanterns symbolize the journey to the afterlife.