Nagasaki Kunchi長崎くんち

The autumn grand festival of Suwa Shrine, Nagasaki's tutelary shrine, known for its solemn divine procession and the varied dances offered by the odori-cho neighbourhoods.

Nagasaki Kunchi takes place over three days from October 7. The dance offerings begin on the morning of the 7th; that afternoon the mikoshi descend to the Otabisho in the O-kudari, and on the 9th they return to the shrine in the O-nobori. The neighbourhoods that present the dances are called odori-cho: the city's 58 odori-cho are divided into seven groups, so each takes its turn once every seven years. The performances include the dragon dance (ja-odori), the whale's spout and the Taikoyama (Kokkodesho), which carry Nagasaki's distinctive cultural heritage.

This is a religious rite rooted in a shrine or temple. Please follow the guidance of the organizers and clergy, and take care not to disrupt the ceremonies.

According to the Nagasaki Traditional Performing Arts Promotion Association, the festival began in 1634 (Kan'ei 11), when two courtesans of Tayu-machi, Takao and Otowa, offered a komai chant before the deity of Suwa Shrine. Nagasaki Prefecture notes that successive Nagasaki magistrates encouraged it from the Kan'ei era onward, so that it grew year by year and took root in the life of the city.

Source: 長崎伝統芸能振興会(external site, opens in a new tab) / 長崎県(external site, opens in a new tab)

Suwa Shrine describes the festival as one of solemn divine procession and dance offerings rich in international colour. The dances are borne by the people of each odori-cho, who prepare for their turn that comes once every seven years, supporting the festival as a whole community.

1. 01

   Hono-odori (dance offerings)

   The odori-cho present their performances at Suwa Shrine's dance ground and elsewhere.

2. 02

   O-kudari and O-nobori

   The mikoshi descend to the Otabisho on the 7th and return to the shrine on the 9th.

3. 03

   Niwasaki-mawari

   The odori-cho tour homes and businesses around the city, performing as they go.

4. 04

   "Motte koi"

   The call with which spectators ask for an encore.

The dances are presented by the odori-cho; the designated preservation body is the Nagasaki Traditional Performing Arts Promotion Association.

• Nagasaki Kunchiながさき大くんち展映像（長崎伝統芸能振興会公式）

• Nagasaki Kunchi長崎くんち

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The Nagasaki Traditional Performing Arts Promotion Association publishes information each year on the niwamise and ninzu-soroi preliminaries and maps and schedules for the niwasaki-mawari.

Traffic controls, seating and fees change every year. Always check the official website for the latest information.

Official website — nagasaki-kunchi.com(external site, opens in a new tab)

• Do not obstruct the rites or the dance offerings
• Follow the directions of stewards

• National designation · 1979

  Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property

  Designated subject: Nagasaki Kunchi no Hono-odori (dance offerings of Nagasaki Kunchi)（Rite）

  Source: 長崎くんちの奉納踊 - 文化遺産オンライン(external site, opens in a new tab)

1. 1.例大祭(長崎くんち) | 鎮西大社 諏訪神社(external site, opens in a new tab)鎮西大社 諏訪神社 · Accessed 2026-09-26
2. 2.長崎くんちとは｜長崎くんち＜長崎伝統芸能振興会＞(external site, opens in a new tab)長崎伝統芸能振興会 · Accessed 2026-09-26
3. 3.長崎くんち＜長崎伝統芸能振興会＞(external site, opens in a new tab)長崎伝統芸能振興会 · Accessed 2026-09-26
4. 4.長崎くんちの奉納踊 - 文化遺産オンライン(external site, opens in a new tab)文化庁 · Accessed 2026-09-26
5. 5.長崎くんちの奉納踊｜長崎県の文化財(external site, opens in a new tab)長崎県 · Accessed 2026-09-26
6. 6.長崎くんち | イベント | ながさき旅ネット(external site, opens in a new tab)長崎県観光連盟 · Accessed 2026-09-26

• 

  The golden dragon of the Ja-odori dance twists after its pearl before crowds at Nagasaki Kunchi

  Photographer

  Masoud Akbari

  Source

  Kunchi festival - panoramio (16).jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  CC BY-SA 3.0(external site, opens in a new tab)

• 

  Haulers spin a ship-shaped float at speed through a covered arcade during Nagasaki Kunchi

  Photographer

  Marine-Blue

  Source

  Rotate festival car at Nagasaki Kunchi.jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  CC BY-SA 4.0(external site, opens in a new tab)

• 

  A richly embroidered kasaboko parasol float carried before the audience at Nagasaki Kunchi

  Photographer

  Masoud Akbari

  Source

  Kunchi festival - panoramio (1).jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  CC BY-SA 3.0(external site, opens in a new tab)

• 

  A kasaboko parasol float topped with pine decoration carried along a Nagasaki street

  Photographer

  Houjyou-Minori

  Source

  Kunchi kasaboko.jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  CC BY-SA 4.0(external site, opens in a new tab)