Nagasaki Kunchi Festival 2026: Dragon Dances & Dutch Flags

Few Japanese festivals carry the fingerprints of three cultures the way Nagasaki Kunchi does.

Nagasaki Kunchi (長崎くんち) is the autumn festival of Suwa Shrine, held every October 7 through 9. With more than 380 years of history, it reflects Nagasaki's unique position as Japan's main window to the outside world during the Edo period. Chinese dragon dances, Dutch flags, and Portuguese-influenced costumes all appear alongside traditional Shinto rites, creating a performance style found nowhere else in Japan.

Dates and schedule

The festival runs on the same three dates each year, regardless of the day of the week. Performances begin before sunrise on October 7 at Suwa Shrine and continue across the city for three days. The core performance window generally runs from roughly 07:00 to late afternoon, with evening appearances at private residences and shop fronts.

Highlights

• ●Ja Odori (dragon dance) — a long Chinese-style dragon chased by a golden ball, performed by the Odori-cho neighborhoods when their turn arrives.
• ●Oranda Manzai — a Dutch-themed procession with miniature ships and tall flags, nodding to the Dejima trading post.
• ●Kokkodesho — a ceremonial float lifted and tossed by dozens of carriers, famous for its physical intensity.
• ●Odori-cho rotation — Nagasaki's neighborhoods take turns on a seven-year cycle, so the exact lineup changes every year.

How to get there

Nagasaki is reached from Hakata (Fukuoka) in about 90 minutes by the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen plus the Relay Kamome service, or in roughly two hours by limited express. From Nagasaki Station, Suwa Shrine is a short tram ride on lines 3 or 5 to Suwa-jinja-mae, followed by a steep stone staircase of 193 steps up to the main hall.

Best viewing spots

• ●Suwa Shrine main plaza — the most atmospheric but tickets are allocated by lottery months in advance.
• ●Chuo Park (Otabisho) — the secondary stage on October 8, generally easier to access.
• ●Odori-cho street stages — free standing-room viewing in participating neighborhoods, with programs posted locally.
• ●Yasaka Shrine — a quieter overflow venue that still gets the key performances.

FAQ

Is Kunchi free to watch Street performances and most Odori-cho stages are free; reserved seating at Suwa Shrine requires a paid ticket through the local lottery. Can visitors photograph the dragon dance Yes, from spectator areas, though flash is discouraged during morning rites. Is English guidance available Printed English pamphlets are generally handed out at Suwa Shrine and the tourist information center at Nagasaki Station.