Float a Lantern and Honor a Loved One at the Japanese Friendship Garden

There’s something quietly powerful about watching a lantern drift across still water – a small light carrying something personal out into the world.

The Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum is hosting its Toro Nagashi Evening Ceremony on two nights this summer, and it’s the kind of experience that tends to stay with you.

The Meaning Behind the Lanterns

Toro Nagashi is a traditional Japanese ceremony rooted in remembrance. The floating of lanterns symbolizes honoring loved ones who have passed, offering peace and hope in a gesture that feels both intimate and communal. It’s a meaningful ritual, and doing it inside the serene surroundings of Balboa Park’s Japanese Friendship Garden makes it all the more moving.

How the Night Unfolds

Each ticket includes admission to the Toro Nagashi Festival, one floating lantern with an LED candle, access to the Evening Lantern Ceremony (Float 1 or Float 2), a bento box, and one alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage.

The ceremony takes place in the lower garden stream, where the lanterns are released into the water as part of a collective moment of reflection. Two float times are available each evening – one at 7 PM and one at 8:30 PM – so you can choose the experience that works best for you.

A Night Unlike Most

This isn’t a festival in the loud, crowded sense. It’s an evening that moves at a slower pace, set against the garden’s natural beauty. Whether you’re coming to honor someone specific or simply want to be part of something meaningful, there’s room for both.

See you there!

The Toro Nagashi Evening Ceremony is a rare opportunity to take part in a centuries-old tradition right here in San Diego. A beautiful night well worth making time for.

📆 August 7 – 8, 2026 | 7 PM & 8:30 PM
📍 2215 Pan American E Rd, San Diego
ℹ️ Find more details here

See you there, San Diego!