Nagasaki Lantern Festival — A Fantastical Night Illuminated by Chinese Culture

The Nagasaki Lantern Festival grew out of the celebrations of Shunsetsu, the Chinese Lunar New Year, held by the people of Nagasaki's Shinchi Chinatown. The dates once shifted each year with the lunar calendar, but from 2026 the festival has been fixed at 17 days beginning on the first Friday of February (in 2026 it was extended by one day because the day after the scheduled close fell on a public holiday, running 18 days from 6 to 23 February; in 2027 it is scheduled for 5 to 21 February). Around 15,000 vividly coloured lanterns, together with giant dragons and zodiac-animal figures, fill the streets of Nagasaki and turn the nights into something dreamlike and exotic.

Highlights

Minato Park: the main venue. Huge dragons, figures of the year's zodiac animal and arches of lanterns make for a spectacular scene. Events steeped in Chinese atmosphere are staged here, including the Emperor's Parade, in which a procession dressed as the emperor and empress makes its way through the streets, and the Mazu Procession honouring the goddess who protects seafarers. Shinchi Chinatown: a magical street hung with rows of yellow and red lanterns, where you can taste authentic champon and sara udon. Around Meganebashi Bridge: the lantern light reflected on the surface of the Nakashima River is beautiful, and this is a popular spot for photographs.

Food and Drink

Chinese food stalls line the streets throughout the festival. Nagasaki's own take on Chinese cooking is not to be missed: kakuni manju, melting braised pork belly tucked into a steamed bun, generously filled bowls of champon, and momo-man peach-shaped buns.

Best Time to Visit

From 2026 the festival has been fixed at 17 days starting on the first Friday of February (in 2026 it was extended by one day because of the public holiday, running 18 days from 6 to 23 February, and in 2027 it is scheduled for 5 to 21 February). The lanterns are lit from early evening, and they are at their most beautiful once darkness has fallen, so an evening visit is recommended. Check the official sources for the exact dates and lighting hours.

Getting There

Trams from JR Nagasaki Station serve every venue. For Minato Park, get off at the Shinchi Chinatown tram stop and you are there; for Meganebashi Bridge, it is about five minutes on foot from the Meganebashi stop. Because the venues are clustered in the city centre, touring them on foot is a pleasure in itself.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Getting around the venues: A one-day tram pass for the Nagasaki Electric Tramway costs 600 yen for adults (junior high school age and above) and 300 yen for children (elementary school students). It is not sold on board the trams, so you need to buy it in advance at tourist information offices, the front desks of hotels along the lines, the company's business offices and similar places (a mobile one-day pass for smartphones is also available)
• Parking: There is no car park dedicated to the festival venues, so you use the paid car parks in the surrounding area. Crowds are expected during the festival period, so visitors are advised to use public transport
• Enquiries: 095-829-1426 (Nagasaki Lantern Festival Executive Committee Secretariat, within the Tourism Exchange Promotion Office of Nagasaki City), 095-822-8888 (Nagasaki City Call Centre, Ajisai Call)
• Official information: Nagasaki City's official tourism site travel nagasaki, Kyushu Tabi Net (Kyushu Tourism Organization), and the Nagasaki Electric Tramway official website

* The above is a guide based on information published by the individual facilities and local authorities. Times and prices are subject to change, so please check the official information before you set out.