Places near me Random place
All the United States Washington, D.C. Japanese Stone Lantern

Japanese Stone Lantern

A gift from Japan, 17th-century lantern stands among the cherry trees at D.C.'s Tidal Basin.

Washington, D.C.

Added By
cmcarrga
Japanese Lantern at West Potomac Park   Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress
2023 Cherry Blossom Festival representatives   breaingram (Atlas Obscura User)
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

This Place Is a Stub

Help improve this place with additional information or photos.

Make an Edit

About

According to the National Park Service, the government of Japan presented the lantern to the United States on March 30, 1954, to symbolize the enduring cultural partnership between the two countries.

Carved in 1651, the granite lantern, which stands eight and a half feet tall and weighs two tons (4,000 pounds), stood for over 300 years on the grounds of the Toeizan Kan’eiji Temple in Japan before coming to the United States. The lantern is lit one time each year by the Embassy of Japan’s appointed Cherry Blossom Princess.

Related Tags

Cultures Light

Community Contributors

Added By

cmcarrga

Published

April 23, 2024

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos

Nearby Places

Explore the Destination Guide

Related Places

  • Reproduction of an eviction scene.

    County Donegal, Ireland

    Doagh Famine Village

    Once part of a living village, these buildings now house exhibits showcasing historical aspects of life in Ireland.

  • Sunlight entering through an opening in the ceiling of Basilica di San Petronio.

    Bologna, Italy

    Meridian Line of Basilica di San Petronio

    A massive line that stretches across the floor of Bologna’s largest church was created by a 17th-century scientist to measure the movements of the Sun.

  • Bamboo

    Kawasaki, Japan

    Edison Bamboo

    The bamboo that helped Thomas Edison develop a longlasting lightbulb.

  • 'Dividing the Light' at dusk.

    Claremont, California

    'Dividing the Light'

    This public Skyspace created by artist James Turrell for his alma mater puts on a show every day at sunrise and sunset.

  • The cascading waterfall of light is mesmerizing.

    Madrid, Spain

    Iguazú Digital Waterfall

    This 40-meter waterfall of light graces one of the most iconic stations in the Madrid metro network.

  • Clothing on display in the Nessebar Ethnographic Museum

    Nessebar, Bulgaria

    Nessebar Ethnographic Museum

    Housed in a historic 1840 home, this museum provides a window into the lives of everyday, 18th- and 19th-century Bulgarians.

  •

    Tokyo, Japan

    Tokyo Night & Light Projections

    The world's largest permanent architectural projection display entertains audiences nightly with 28-story light shows.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads

Become a Member