Lantern events take place in Japan throughout the whole year. The country sees many types of lanterns decorating the atmosphere from sky lanterns that float up into the night sky to towering lantern monuments, colourful lanterns that hang like paper lanterns and more.   Many of these events take place in February and March and bustle with locals and people visiting from all over the country. Since last year, Hankyu Travel International has listed the lantern festivals taking place across Japan.   Here are some of  the major events taking place this year. There are many to look forward to each with a different origin and meaning whether it be for religious reasons or for festive fun.   Hokkaido Event17th Takikawa Kamibukuro Paper Lantern Festival Date: February 23, 2019 Location: Area from Takikawa Station to Bell Road Address: 2 Chome-8-9 Sakaemachi, Takikawa, Hokkaido   The Takikawa Kamibukuro Lantern Festival sees paper lanterns handcrafted by the local residents of Takikawa. Each design is entirely different from the next, so simply looking at them is enough to warm your heart.   Iwate Prefecture EventHanamaki Hoshi Meguro no Yoru Running: February 3, 2019 / February 11, 2019 / February 14, 2019 Location: Namari Ski Cente Address: Nakadaira-36-1 Namari, Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture   This wintertime event is exclusive to guests staying with Hanamaki Onsen.   Tokyo & Osaka EventTanabata Sky Lantern Festival Running: July 6, 2019 - July 7, 2019 Location: Tokyo and Osaka Address: TBA   10,000 lanterns will be launched into the night in Tokyo and Osaka in this two-day event, creating a starry sky.   Niigata Prefecture EventsTsunan Yuki Matsuri Sky Lantern Date: March 9, 2019 (Pre-event to take place on March 8 too) Location: New Green Pia Tsunan Address: 12300 Akinari, Tsunan-machi, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture   The town of Tsunan in Niigata has held this sky lantern festival since 2012 to offer prayers towards the reconstruction work after the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. 1,000 lanterns will rise into the sky during the March 8 pre-festival and 2,000 the following day for the main event.   Niigata Tsunan Sky Lantern Festival Running: March 17, 2019 / March 21, 2019 / March 22, 2019 Location: New Green Pia Tsunan Address: 12300 Akinari, Tsunan-machi, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture   Hankyu Travel International has a range of events planned for this festival including sky lanterns, fireworks, food and more.   Nagasaki Prefecture EventNagasaki Lantern Festival Running: February 5, 2019 - February 19, 2019 Locations: Nagasaki Chinatown, Central Park and elsewhere Address: Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture   Every year the Nagasaki Lantern Festival sees over 1 million people in attendance. The event grown and expanded from a celebration of Chinese New Year from the people of Nagasaki Chinatown.   Okinawa Prefecture EventRyukyu Lantern Festival 2018-2019 Running: December 1, 2018 - March 3, 2019 Address: Murasaki Mura Ryukyu Kingdom Theme Park Address: 1020-1 Takashiho, Yomitan-son, Nakagami District, Okinawa Prefecture   The Ryukyu Lantern Festival has been taking place since December last year at Murasaki Mura, a theme park that reproduces the city of Naha when Okinawa was known as the Ryukyu Kingdom in the 14th and 15th centuries. The event has a magical atmosphere with its Chinese lanterns, Japanese paper lanterns and more.   Be sure to use this list as reference if any of these events take your fancy and make some wonderful memories.