Lantern Festival

While Soojeong and I were staying in Nagasaki, we were fortunate enough to be there during the time of the Lantern Festival held in Nagasaki's China Town district. Lanterns were hung over the rivers so that their light reflected across the water, animals of shapes and sizes lit the areas where people gathered for food and events, and there were even lanterns shaped like swans and lotuses that were set into the river to add to the effect.

The main area where most of these pictures were taken, was truly a spectacular place. The smell of Chinese and Japanese food being cooked was in the air, music and performers entertained the full audience, and they even had a dragon dance. For me, it was a wonderful night that I could spend with Soojeong, enjoying our time together as we learned something new about Nagasaki and the people there. There is something very romantic about a part of the city lit by lanterns. I don't know if it was the soft glow of the lights, that reminded me of candles, or knowing that you are witnessing something special with the one you love, but whatever it was, it made our night there one that I will never forget.

The people of Nagasaki must have worked very hard to put the event together, and it really showed. Along with the regular animal lanterns; like pelicans, goldfish, etc., there were all of the animals of the Chinese Zodiac, and famous characters out of old legends. Nagasaki is a wonderful city, and I would love to go back sometime and see the festival and events again.