Kumamoto festivals disrupted by disasters

In mid‑2026, the Yamaga Lantern Festival in Kumamoto was largely cancelled after a strong Kumamoto earthquake, with only shrine rites proceeding and ticket refunds promised for the cancelled lantern dance. At the same time, a separate cultural event in Tokyo’s Katsushika Ward was scheduled for September.

A few days later, reports highlighted that the previous year’s Yamak Lantern Festival had also been hit by a sudden thunderstorm, forcing the cancellation of the “Thousand Lantern Dance” and triggering ticket refunds. Additionally, the Fujisaki Hachiman Shrine’s annual grand festival procession and horse‑offering ceremonies were postponed due to the same Reiwa‑8 Kumamoto earthquake, though other shrine rites continued as planned.

Together, these updates show a pattern of natural disasters—earthquakes and severe storms—repeatedly interrupting traditional cultural celebrations in Kumamoto Prefecture, leading to cancellations, postponements, and refund arrangements.