Nagasaki Kunchi Festival

What to know

The Nagasaki Kunchi (長崎くんち) is the annual festival of Suwa Shrine, held from October 7 to 9. Celebrated for about 400 years, it blends Chinese and Dutch cultural influences that have shaped the city's history. The name likely derives from ku-nichi ("9th day"), the ninth day of the ninth lunar month.

The festival's highlights are dance and show performances by groups representing Nagasaki's city districts. Each district (odori-cho) participates only once every seven years, keeping the event fresh even for regular attendees.

Each year, five to seven groups perform traditional Japanese dances, Chinese-inspired dragon dances, or shows involving large floats, many shaped like ships. Performances range from calm and peaceful to wild and hectic.

Performances take place at four main venues with paid seating and standing areas: on the morning and evening of October 7, and the mornings of October 8 and 9. The main stages are Suwa Shrine, Otabisho, Yasaka Shrine, and Chuo Koen.

Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible for foreign tourists to buy paid seating tickets, as they sell out weeks in advance through channels requiring Japanese language skills. However, at some main venues, you can catch glimpses without a ticket, though these areas get very crowded and people arrive early for the best spots.

Performances also occur at other locations across the city with free viewing. One such spot is Kamome Hiroba plaza in front of Nagasaki Station, where most groups appear on some festival days (in 2025: October 7, 11:00–15:00, and October 9, 14:00–16:00).