A candlelight event was held in Kitakyushu City and Shimonoseki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, which are adjacent to each other across the Kanmon Straits.
"Kanmon Strait Candle Night" is an event that started in Moji Ward, Kitakyushu City in 2012. Since then, a venue in Shimonoseki City on the opposite bank of the Kanmon Strait has been added, and it is held every year.
This year, about 30,000 candles were prepared at 11 venues in Kitakyushu and Shimonoseki, and each candle was lit on the evening of the 19th.
At Koso Hachimangu in Moji Ward, Kitakyushu City, about 3,500 candles in red and white paper bags were lined up on the grounds, creating a magical atmosphere.
At the shrine, the locals started arranging candles in the morning, and the visitors enjoyed taking pictures.
A man in his 20s living in Moji Ward said, "I felt warm. I came with my child for the first time, but I want to come again."
Yoshihiko Ogami, the chief priest of Koshu Hachimangu Shrine, said, "I prepared a candle to pray for the end of the new coronavirus and peace. I'm glad that many people were happy."
This event will continue on the 20th.