A Summer Evening of Prayer and Peace 2026

A Summer Evening of Prayer and Peace 2026

A Summer Evening of Prayer and Peace

Join us for A Summer Evening of Prayer and Peace on August 5, 2026. This event seeks to console the souls of those who perished in the atomic bombing and pray for world peace by illuminating seven temples and shrines along the Futaba-no-Sato Historical Walking Trail in Higashi-ku with candles lit with the Flame of Peace in Peace Memorial Park.

Organized by the Summer Evening of Prayer and Peace Executive Committee, made up of community organizations such as the seven temples and shrines in the area and local community organizations, the event has taken place since 2012 making this its 13th year.

This year, in addition to beautiful candle displays, we have also organized a variety of events to welcome visitors, such as musical performances at many of the temples and shrines. We are also offering free guided tours of the temples and shrines by the Futaba-no-Sato Historical Walking Trail Volunteer Guide Association.

We hope you’ll join us on the evening of August 5, the day before the Peace Memorial Ceremony commemorating the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, and pray for peace while visiting seven shrines and temples illuminated by candles.

Date and time

August 5, 2026 (Wed) from 6:30 pm to 9 pm

Venue

The following seven shrines and temples near the North Exit of JR Hiroshima Station: Nigitsu Shrine, Myōjōin Temple, Tsuruhane Shrine, Hiroshima Tōshōgū Shrine, Onaga Tenmangū Shrine, Kokuzenji Temple, Shōkōji Zen Temple

Notes

All are welcome to participate; no reservations necessary

開催日

2026年8月5日（水曜日）

開催時間

午後6時30分 から 午後9時 まで

開催場所

広島駅新幹線口周辺の七社寺
（饒津神社、明星院、鶴羽根神社、広島東照宮、尾長天満宮、國前寺、聖光寺）

申込み

不要

Events

Nigitsu Shrine

Rhythms of Prayer (beginning at 7:45 pm; music performance featuring percussion instruments)

Myōjōin Temple

Temple will be illuminated for evening visitors.

Tsuruhane Shrine

1) Candle lighting (beginning at 7 pm, limited to 80 people; first come, first served): 80 people will light candles inside the shrine.

2) Hanachōzu: cleanse your hands in a flower-filled stone basin before offering a prayer

Hiroshima Tōshōgū Shrine

1) Paper crane curtain (beginning at 9 am): step through a curtain of 1,000 paper cranes as you enter the shrine to pray.

2) Shō (Japanese wind instrument resembling panpipes) performance and retelling of what happened when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima (beginning at 6:30 pm)

Onaga Tenmangū Shrine

1) Paper crane workshop (9 am-12 pm): fold your own paper cranes with prayers for peace and dedicate them at the shrine

2) Shakuhachi Japanese bamboo flute performance to pray for the repose of souls (beginning at 7:25 pm)

Kokuzenji Temple

Sutra reading (beginning at 7:45 pm)

Shōkōji Zen Temple

Shakuhachi flute performance by komusō monks (wandering Zen priests with Japanese bamboo flutes) to pray for the repose of souls (beginning at 8 pm)

Guided Tour

Free guided tours of the temples and shrines by the Futaba-no-Sato Historical Walking Trail Volunteer Guide Association. This is a rare opportunity to experience the temples and shrines in the area illuminated by candlelight at night. This tour is free of charge; no reservations necessary!

Time

Sign up starts at 5:45 pm; tour begins at 6:00 pm

Meeting Point

Eki-kita Terrace, JR Hiroshima Station North Exit (next to the Shinkansen Gate on the second floor)

Tour Routes

1) Hiroshima Tōshōgū Shrine to Nigitsu Shrine
2) Hiroshima Tōshōgū Shrine to Shōkōji Zen Temple

 

Stamp Rally

Complete the stamp rally on the back of the event flyer; collect stamps from three or more temples and shrines to redeem a free ramune soft drink.