精霊流しと万灯籠流し【 Spirit Boat Procession and Lantern Release Schedule 】佐世保のお盆 2020 スケジュール【英語＆日本語】令和2年度

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佐世保発の英語と日本語のWebメディアです！
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Lanters floating on Sasebo River. 佐世保川の万灯籠。
Photo Courtesy of / 写真提供：高井栄子

日本語はコチラから

Obon is one of Japan’s most significant occasions. Commonly observed between Aug 13 and 16, it is an annual Buddhist event for commemorating family’s ancestors. It is believed the ancestors’ spirits return to this world during this week.
People place offerings in front of Buddhist alters at home, including horses and cows made of cucumbers and eggplants as means of transportation for the deceased.

To many Sasebo citizens, Obon is time for fireworks at cemetery and Spirit Boats. After cleaning the tombstones and offering prayers, many people enjoy handheld fireworks there, which is a (very!) unique custom of Nagasaki.

The Spirit Boat Procession, or Shoro Nagashi, is also an unique and traditional culture across Nagasaki prefecture. Beautifully decorated boats carrying the spirits of those that passed away that year are carried down streets amid clamor of gongs and firecrackers.

Lastly, Lantern Release, or Toro Nagashi (or Man Doro Nagashi) is a nation-wide ceremony in which participants float glowing paper lanterns down a river to commemorate the souls of the dead.

Today, all three events are held as more of a joyful celebration than a time of mourning.

Lanters floating on Sasebo River, Crackers, Spirit Boat.
佐世保川の万灯籠、爆竹、精霊流し。
Photo Courtesy of / 写真提供： Midori Sakamoto

In 2020, Spirit Boats will be parading in areas of Sasebo on Aug 15 from late afternoon to around 21:00.

Area	Time/Venue
Nakiri	19:00-21:30 [MAP] traffic will be restricted
Haiki	17:00-21:00 [MAP]
Nakazato Kaize	17:30-20:30 [MAP]
Ainoura	17:30-20:30 [MAP]
Yoshii	18:00-21:00 [MAP]
Sechibaru	18:00-20:30 [MAP]
Kosaza	18:00-21:30 [MAP]
Shikamachi	18:00-20:30 [MAP] at breakwater

Roads near Nakiri ground will be restricted from 19:00 to 21:30 during the Procession (and possibly so will roads around other venues) so remember to give yourself extra time for travel when passing by these areas.

Toro Nagashi held annually at Sasebo River (in front of Nimitz Park) is cancelled for 2020.

Beautiful lanterns flowing down Sasebo River. 佐世保川を美しく流れる灯籠。
Photo Courtesy of / 写真提供：高井栄子

お盆の季節がやってきました！
佐世保のお盆と言えば、お墓の花火と精霊流し。
令和2年度の精霊流しは8月15日、夕方から21:00過ぎにかけて、市内各地にて行われます。

会場名	時間・場所
名切	19時00分～21時30分中央公園スポーツ広場
早岐	17時00分～21時00分東町海岸（早岐瀬戸）
中里皆瀬	17時30分～20時30分中里皆瀬支所駐車場
相浦	17時30分～20時30分総合グラウンド陸上競技場駐車場
吉井	18時00分～21時00分ポットホール公園駐車場
世知原	18時00分～20時30分躍進の泉公園
小佐々	18時00分～21時30分大悲観公園駐車場、楠泊バス停前広場
鹿町	18時00分～20時30分口ノ里埋立地横防波堤