九州各地域の隠れた資源を磨き上げ、国内外へ発信

The festival takes place in downtown Yamaga in every winter, one of the Festivals of Lights in Kyushu in Winter, a campaign carried out by six prefectures of Kyushu. During the festival, the city streets are lit up with some 500 traditional Japanese umbrellas and thousands of bamboo lanterns to turn them into a fantastic world totally different from what they are during the day. The festival is organized by local residents, the tourism association, university students, staff of prefectural and municipal offices, and various other people working together. The soft lights seem to represent their quiet but firm desire to enliven the community. Visitors bringing a long grill lighter can participate as "lighting volunteers" who alight the candles in the bamboo lamps. On the days of the festival, traditional arts of Yamaga Drum and Yamaga Lantern Dance are both performed in the Yachiyoza Theater (admission to be paid).