Nagasaki Lantern Festival

Where winter glows in red and gold

Venue: Nagasaki Chinatown (Shinchi-machi), Minato Park & surrounding city center

When: February 6 – February 23, 2026

Every winter, Nagasaki transforms into a city bathed in gold light, with red lights swaying against the night sky and dragon dances. The local Chinese community started the Nagasaki Lantern Festival as an interpersonal, cultural, and symbolic Lunar New Year celebration. It has developed into one of Japan's most spectacular lantern festivals today, attracting tourists from all around Asia who prefer a lively, creative winter to a calm, chilly one. This is where winter really comes to life, whether you're looking for the Nagasaki Lantern Festival, Lantern Festival Japan, or just want to lose yourself in the glow of 15,000 hanging lanterns.

Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2026 Key Details

What to Expect at the Nagasaki Lantern Festival

Imagine entering a beautiful dream filled with glittering golds, pinks, and reds. This festival is designed with the eyes and camera roll in mind. Anticipate:

• More than 15,000 lanterns illuminating parks, arcades, bridges, and streets

• Chinatown is filled with dragon dances.

• Stage shows, traditional music, and lion dances

• Up to five-meter-tall lantern sculptures featuring zodiac animals, emperors, and phoenixes

• The Emperor Parade was modeled after the royal processions of the Qing Dynasty.

• Street food vendors offering sesame balls, dim lunch, steamed buns, and Nagasaki champon

• The entire Chinatown quarter is decorated in festive red and gold.

• After dark, lantern reflection photos of the city's bridges

It’s lively, cultural, vibrant, and built around celebration. If Kobe Luminarie is serene elegance, Nagasaki Lantern Festival is pure festive energy.

Who Is the Nagasaki Lantern Festival For?

This festival draws a vibrant, global mix:

• Families who want something fun, colorful, and engaging

• Solo travelers looking for culture and lively nightlife

• Food lovers (trust the Chinatown stalls, they’re legendary)

• Photography fans seeking movement, color, and layered shots

• Culture seekers who want to experience Lunar New Year through Japanese–Chinese traditions

It’s tourist-friendly, easy to navigate, and the city’s tram system makes hopping between venues simple.

Pro Tips

Best Time to Arrive

Arrive just after sunset (17:00–18:00) to see the lanterns flicker to life. The soft evening light makes everything glow.

Avoiding Crowds

• Weekdays are calmer than Fridays or weekends.

• Minato Park gets packed so visit early, exit through side streets.

What to Bring

• Portable charger (photos will drain you fast)

• Cash (some food stalls are cash-only)

• A warm jacket because Kyūshū winters can surprise you

Navigation Notes

• Chinatown has narrow walkways, move with the crowd

• Lantern bridges get congested. If you want photos, go early.

What to Wear at the Nagasaki Lantern Festival

This is an outdoor, winter nighttime event, so think comfortable + warm:

• A medium or heavy winter coat

• Scarf, gloves, and layers

• Comfortable walking shoes (you’ll be on your feet for hours)

• Waterproof gear in case Kyūshū sprinkles rain on your parade

If you plan to take photos or videos, gloves that allow touchscreen tapping will save your night.

How to Get to the Nagasaki Lantern Festival

The route is simple and tourist-proof:

From JR Nagasaki Station:

• Exit the station and board the Nagasaki Tram

• Ride to Shinchi Chinatown (Shinchi-machi), one of the main festival complexes

• Walk 2–5 minutes to hit the lantern zones

Most displays cluster around Chinatown, Minato Park, and central arcades, all connected by tram or walkable streets.
If you're traveling around Kyūshū or arriving from Fukuoka, consider a JR Pass or Regional Pass to streamline your journey.

Nearby Recommendations

Food

• Nagasaki Chinatown: steamed buns, dumplings, sweet sesame balls

• Hama-machi Arcade: café culture and snacks

• Dejima Wharf: seafood with waterfront views

Sightseeing

• Glover Garden

• Oura Church

• Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown (daytime browsing)

• Dejima (Edo-period history island)

Hotels

Stay close to the action, Sakaemachi, Dejima, or near Nagasaki Station.
Explore options via JapanDen accommodation for easy access to the lantern zones.

More About the Nagasaki Lantern Festival

• Began as a Chinese New Year celebration by the local Chinese community

• Expanded city-wide in the 1990s

• Now one of Japan’s most visited winter festivals

• Lantern sculptures can reach over 5 meters
  Events like the Emperor Parade and Mazu Procession connect deeply with East Asian traditions

• Attendance often reaches hundreds of thousands across the 15-day period

Despite its growth, the festival retains a strong cultural soul, a blend of Chinese heritage, Japanese hospitality, and New Year symbolism.

Planning Your Visit

To keep your trip smooth and glowing:

• Book your hotel early: you’re competing with domestic travelers. Use JapanDen accommodation to find rooms near Chinatown or the station

• Use JR Pass or a Kyūshū Regional Pass: for multi-city travel

• Stay connected: with a Pocket Wi-Fi or SIM card to navigate trams, translations & crowd maps

• Consider Meet & Greet services: if you’re landing in Japan and want a seamless start

• Carry cash: for food stalls and smaller shops

• Brush up on simple etiquette: keep pathways moving, be mindful of photographers, and follow parade instructions

FAQs About the Nagasaki Lantern Festival

Do I need a ticket?
No, the festival is free and open-air.

Is it kid-friendly?

Yes, children love the lanterns, parades, and dragon dances.

Are pets allowed?

Pets are generally allowed outdoors but not inside crowded indoor venues.

Are there English signs?
Major areas offer basic English guidance, and trams are easy to navigate.

People Also Ask

What does the Nagasaki Lantern Festival celebrate?

The Nagasaki Lantern Festival celebrates Lunar New Year, honoring the city’s Chinese heritage with thousands of lanterns, dances, and traditional New Year festivities.

Where can I see lanterns in Nagasaki?

Chinatown, Minato Park, central shopping arcades, and nearby bridges.

How long is the Nagasaki Lantern Festival?

About 15 days, covering the first 15 days of the Lunar New Year.