๐ 2026/2/2
#Sightseeing
A Detailed Guide to the Highlights of the Nagasaki Lantern Festival
Table of Contents
- What Is the Nagasaki Lantern Festival?
- Highlights of the Nagasaki Lantern Festival
- History and Origins of the Nagasaki Lantern Festival
Introduction
The “Nagasaki Lantern Festival,” which illuminates Nagasaki every winter with approximately 15,000 lanterns, is one of Japan’s premier winter festivals that evolved from a traditional Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) celebration. In 2026, the festival is scheduled to be held for 15 days from February 17 to March 3, timed with the Lunar New Year. New large-scale art installations and floating lantern displays on Nagasaki Harbor are expected to debut, promising an even grander scale than previous years. In this article, we introduce the highlights, history, and efficient ways to explore the festival along with the latest information.
This article provides a detailed guide covering the overview and highlights of the Nagasaki Lantern Festival, its history and origins, as well as the latest information for 2026. We have compiled comprehensive information to serve as a reference for your visit, so please read through to the end.
What Is the Nagasaki Lantern Festival?
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival is a winter tradition held annually in Nagasaki City, originating as an event to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year (Spring Festival). Originally a “Spring Festival” organized by the people of Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown to promote the district, it was expanded in 1994 and renamed the “Nagasaki Lantern Festival,” becoming one of the major winter events that illuminates Nagasaki’s winter season.
The 2026 festival will be held for 15 days from January 29 (Wednesday) to February 12 (Wednesday), with the city center fantastically adorned with approximately 15,000 lanterns and a variety of art installations.
During the festival period, various events are also held. Particularly noteworthy is the “Emperor Parade,” which recreates the scene of the Qing Dynasty emperor and empress going out among the people to celebrate the New Year together. A total of approximately 150 participants dressed in magnificent Chinese costumes parade through the streets in a grand procession. Additionally, the “Mazu Procession,” which was actually performed during the Edo period, is also recreated, featuring a procession carrying Mazu, the goddess of safe voyages, through the city streets.
The 2026 festival also features a collaboration with the popular anime “The Apothecary Diaries,” including stamp rallies, collaboration merchandise sales, and lantern displays featuring characters from the series.
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival is a unique event that blends Nagasaki’s history and culture with Chinese traditions, attracting many tourists each year. Through the enchanting lantern lights and diverse festivities, visitors can fully enjoy the winter season in Nagasaki.
Highlights of the Nagasaki Lantern Festival
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival is a large-scale event that illuminates Nagasaki City with approximately 15,000 lanterns every winter. In 2026, it will be held from January 29 (Wednesday) to February 12 (Wednesday), with diverse highlights displayed at various locations throughout the city.
[ Main Venues and Highlights ]
ใปNagasaki Shinchi Chinatown Venue (Minato Park):
Minato Park is the central venue of the Nagasaki Lantern Festival, where a main art installation based on each year’s theme is displayed. Lanterns of various sizes illuminate the park, inviting visitors into an enchanting world. The opening ceremony on the first day and various stage events throughout the festival are also held here, making it the highlight destination of the festival.
ใปChuo Park Venue:
The Chuo Park venue is a popular spot for families, featuring many colorful animal-themed art installations. Creative designs that delight children make it an ideal spot for photo opportunities. Daily stage events are also held, offering diverse performances in a lively atmosphere.
ใปShinchi Chinatown:
Shinchi Chinatown is adorned with countless lanterns hanging overhead, creating an exotic landscape. The spectacular sight of red and gold lanterns strung together envelops visitors in the atmosphere of Chinese New Year. Visitors can also enjoy Chinatown-exclusive cuisine and shopping, and the area bustles with crowds day and night.
ใปDozagawa River:
Along the Dozagawa River, pink lanterns are beautifully displayed, with their reflections on the river surface creating an enchanting atmosphere. Strolling along the river while enveloped in soft pink light offers a romantic experience quite different from other venues.
ใปNakashima River Park (Near Meganebashi Bridge):
Nakashima River Park is located near Meganebashi (Spectacles Bridge), one of Nagasaki City’s most iconic landmarks, and during the Lantern Festival period, an enchanting spectacle unfolds here. This venue is primarily decorated with yellow lanterns. These lanterns reflect on the river surface, creating a fantastical landscape. The beautiful scene becomes especially captivating at night, attracting many tourists with cameras in hand.
[ Featured Events ]
ใปEmperor Parade:
This magnificent parade recreates the scene of the Qing Dynasty emperor and empress going out among the people to celebrate the New Year together. Centered around the palanquins of the emperor and empress, a total of approximately 100 participants including flag bearers don magnificent Chinese costumes and parade through the city streets. This parade is one of the signature events of the Nagasaki Lantern Festival and is beloved by many tourists. Additionally, a talk show by the participants playing the emperor and empress roles is held at Minato Park.
ใปMazu Procession:
This event recreates the procession carried out during the Edo period by Chinese ship crew members who arrived in Nagasaki, escorting “Mazu,” the goddess of safe voyages, to the Mazu Hall at Chinese temples. Participants dressed in traditional costumes parade through the city, creating a deeply historical atmosphere.
ใปBian Lian (Face-Changing) Show:
“Bian Lian,” a traditional performing art from Sichuan Province in China, is a unique performance where masks are changed instantaneously. The show is performed daily during the festival at the Nagasaki Confucius Shrine, captivating audiences with its mysterious techniques. The mechanism behind this technique is said to be a Chinese state secret, and this mystique adds to its allure.
Furthermore, for the 2026 festival, a collaboration with the popular anime “The Apothecary Diaries” has been confirmed, with stamp rallies, collaboration merchandise sales, and lantern displays featuring characters from the series planned.
History and Origins of the Nagasaki Lantern Festival
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival is known as one of the major events that illuminates Nagasaki’s winter. Here we provide a detailed introduction to its history and origins, highlighting key events by year.
ใ1. 1986: Construction of the Pailou Gate and the Beginning of the “Lantern Festival” Plan
*Image for illustration purposes
In 1986, the Chinese gate (pailou) was completed in Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown. The construction of this gate was realized through the strong passion of Mr. Teruo Hayashi, the owner of Kairakuen restaurant (and the first chairman of the Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown Shopping District Promotion Association). Having been asked by tourists “Which way is Chinatown?” he keenly felt the need for a symbolic gate for Chinatown and pushed forward with its construction.
Prompted by the completion of the Chinese gate, the Chinatown promotion association planned the “Lantern Festival,” combining the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) and the Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao), as a tourism promotion initiative.
ใ2. 1987: The First “Spring Festival” Celebration
*Image for illustration purposes
In 1987, Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown held its first “Spring Festival” to commemorate the first anniversary of the Chinese gate’s completion. The event featured about 300 vinyl lanterns, along with a modest yet diverse array of activities including Chinese lion dances, champon noodle eating contests, photo sessions with young women in Chinese dresses, and free Chinese rice porridge.
These initiatives were well received by tourists, and the event became an annual tradition from then on.
ใ3. 1994: Official Launch as the Nagasaki Lantern Festival
*Image for illustration purposes
In 1994, as part of Nagasaki City’s tourism strategy, the “Spring Festival” was renamed the “Nagasaki Lantern Festival” and positioned as an official tourism event. That year’s theme was “Foreign CHINA Living in NAGASAKI,” and Shinchi Chinatown, Minato Park, and Hamamachi Arcade were adorned with red Chinese lanterns, accompanied by a variety of events.
In particular, parades of children in Chinese costumes, Chinese lion dances, and dragon dances enlivened the festival.
ใ4. 2008: Record-Breaking Attendance
*Image for illustration purposes
The 15th Nagasaki Lantern Festival held in 2008 took place over 15 days from February 7 to February 21. Attendance that year reached approximately 910,000 people, with the economic ripple effect reported at approximately 9.3 billion yen.
While these figures showed a slight decrease compared to the previous year’s attendance of approximately 920,000 and economic ripple effect of approximately 9 billion yen, they still demonstrate the festival’s tremendous scale and influence.
ใ5. 2018: Even Greater Success
*Image for illustration purposes
At the 2018 Nagasaki Lantern Festival, Nagasaki-born Neru Nagahama, then a member of the idol group Keyakizaka46, participated as the empress in the Emperor Parade on February 24.
This special appearance generated significant buzz, and attendance during the festival period reached an all-time high of 1.06 million visitors. This massive turnout also brought significant economic benefits to Nagasaki City’s tourism industry and related sectors.
Latest Information for 2026
The 2026 Nagasaki Lantern Festival was held for 18 days from February 6 (Friday) to February 23 (Monday, national holiday). Starting from 2026, the schedule has been fixed to “17 days from the first Friday of February.” Approximately 15,000 Chinese lanterns and art installations illuminated the city, and traditional events such as the Emperor Parade and Mazu Procession were also held. Admission is free.
For information about future editions, please check the Nagasaki City tourism information website.
Summary
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival is a one-of-a-kind winter celebration that blends Chinese Spring Festival culture with Nagasaki’s exotic atmosphere. Approximately 15,000 lanterns envelop the city, and traditional events such as the Emperor Parade, Mazu Procession, and Bian Lian (Face-Changing) Show create an extraordinary experience that feels like traveling to a foreign land. The 2026 edition added new attractions including floating lanterns and large-scale art installations for an even more spectacular event. Let the colorful glow of the lanterns guide you to experience a special winter moment that can only be found in Nagasaki.