14th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Lanterns Light the Way

Toro nagashi is a long-held Japanese tradition where lanterns are released into rivers to guide the spirits of ancestors. This one night event can see over 2,500 laterns float peacefully down the river. The river is lined with thousands of people witnessing and participating in this event. The warm glow of the lanterns was wonderful sight.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2014
Date Uploaded: 10.2016
Photo Location: Tokyo, Japan
Copyright: © Nancy Bleses