Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2025: Dates, Highlights, Access, and Hotels

Nagasaki Lantern Festival: Starting from January 29, 2025

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Nagasaki Lantern Festival is an annual celebration of the lunar new year, which falls around the end of January - the beginning of February.

This vibrant two-week event illuminates the center of Nagasaki City, a place known for its multicultural history and architecture, with the warm, rich colors glowing from 15,000 beautiful swaying lanterns, decorations, performances, and more!

Visitors can immerse themselves in authentic Chinese culture in Japan's oldest Chinatown, with performances and street parades, along with delicious food—all while staying in one of Japan's most significant and culturally diverse cities.

Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2025: Dates, Highlights, and More

1. Festival Dates and Venue
2. Festival History and Concept
3. Highlights of the Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2025
4. Access to the Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2025
5. Hotels in Nagasaki

Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2025: Dates and Venue

Set to bring two weeks of entertainment and magical displays, the Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2025 will dazzle visitors from January 29 to February 12.

Fifteen thousand lanterns illuminate the streets of Shinchi Chinatown, Chuo Park, and Minato Park, the main venues of the event, extending into other areas such as Dejima and Megane Bridge, with each area featuring different colored lanterns!

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Alongside the dangling lanterns that decorate the streets of the city center, the festival adorns the city's parks and shrines with gigantic, statue-like lanterns reaching up to 10 meters high.

These lanterns feature animals such as deer, fish, and horses, as well as legendary creatures like dragons and Buddhist motifs!

Furthermore, visitors can enjoy incredible performances, including lion dances, parades, and more!

Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2025

Dates: January 29 - February 12, 2025
Lighting Ceremony: January 29 at 18:00 (17:30 - 18:00)
Light-up Hours: 17:00 - 22:00 (all lights on at 18:00) at Shinchi Chinatown venue and Central Park venue
Venues:
- Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown
- Chuo Park
- Minato Park
- Dejima
- Hamamachi Aracade
- Nagasaki Confucius Shrine
- Nakajima River (Megane Bridge)
- the four temples at Tojin Yashiki Nagasaki (Kannondo Shrine, Tengodo, Fujian Hall, Dojindo)
- Kanko-dori.

Official festival website: https://www.at-nagasaki.jp/lantern-festival (Japanese)

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Nagasaki Lantern Festival: History and Concept

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Nagasaki has a deep and complicated history. It was Japan’s only port open to foreign trade during the country's isolation period, from 1639 to 1853. The city developed with cultural influences from many of the countries that traded with it, one of which was China.

During this period, Chinese merchants and tradesmen were allocated warehouses and living quarters. As the city evolved, these areas were slowly demolished, and some land was reclaimed, leading to the establishment of what we know today as Nagasaki's Shinchi Chinatown.

Alongside influencing the city with Chinese produce, festivals and traditions also impacted the town, one of which is the Lunar New Year—one of China and Taiwan's most important and culturally significant holidays.

Each year, the date of the New Year is determined by the first new moon, usually falling between late January and early February.

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On the 15th day of the lunar calendar, when the first full moon of the year glistens among the stars, people mark the end of the Lunar New Year with lanterns.

While it is unclear when this beautiful tradition began, many attribute its creation to Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty, a devoted Buddhist who adopted the practice of lighting lanterns on the first full moon and spread it across the country.

Others say that heavenly spirits can be seen in the sky and that it is a time to honor ancestors. In hopes of capturing this incredible sight, people light lanterns at night, thus giving rise to the lantern festival!

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Originally recognized as a spring festival, the residents of Chinatown decided to expand the event in 1994 to boost the town's tourism, renaming it the Nagasaki Lantern Festival.

The festival is now considered one of Japan's most famous winter events, attracting people from near and far with its dazzling illuminations and incredible performances!

Highlights of the Nagasaki Lantern Festival

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During this amazing festival, visitors can delight in countless experiences and incredible displays! From dancing dragons to imperial reenactments, we’ve highlighted three main events you won't want to miss.

1. Emperor Parade

One of the standout attractions at the Nagasaki Lantern Festival is the Emperor Parade, taking place on February 1 and 8, 2025.

Approximately 150 people dressed in vibrant traditional Chinese garments will carry flags, play musical instruments, and pull royal carriages as they parade from Chuo Park to Minato Park.

This lively event honors a New Year celebration held during the Qing Dynasty in China, where the Emperor and Empress paraded through towns, celebrating with the locals. The event has gained fame over the years, even featuring Japanese celebrities.

Date: February 1 and 8, 2025
Hours: 14:00 - 16:30

2. Mazu Procession

Dedicated to Mazu, the Goddess of Safe Navigation, the Mazu procession is a historical re-enactment that expresses gratitude to the goddess, who protected Chinese vessels entering Nagasaki during the Edo Period.

Participants will journey from the Confucius Temple to Minato Park for vibrant performances before continuing to Megane Bridge at Chuo Park, returning afterward. a few days later
Date: February 2 and February 9
Hours: 13:00 - 16:05 and 13:15 - 16:20

3. Dragon Dance

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A tradition with roots in China, the dragon dance is now widely celebrated across Japan. Initially a ritual for praying to ancestors and requesting rain during the Han Dynasty, it has evolved into a captivating form of entertainment during the New Year.

Participants maneuver 20-meter-long dragon puppets as they chase a golden sphere, leaping and twirling in rhythm to traditional music.

Dates: January 29 - February 12 (everyday)

Access to Nagasaki Lantern Festival

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From Tokyo to Nagasaki, it takes approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes by plane, with the cheapest ticket costing around 9,000 yen one way when flying with Jetstar from Narita Airport.

Travelers can choose between Haneda Airport and Narita Airport; however, prices may vary.

Once you arrive at Nagasaki Airport, you will need to take a train or bus to Nagasaki city. The most affordable and convenient option is to take the Nagasaki Airport Liner, which takes about 45 minutes to reach Nagasaki Station.

Alternatively, for those wishing to go directly to Chinatown, you can stop at the Shinchi Chinatown drop-off point.

From the airport, there are plenty of bus lines and routes that go to Nagasaki, which can also be found here, so be sure to plan your trip in advance!

An alternative route would be to take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Fukuoka and then an express train to Nagasaki; however, this option is more time-consuming and expensive, with an average one-way ticket costing around 28,000 yen and a travel time of between 6 hours and 30 minutes to 8 hours.

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Hotels in Nagasaki

Below we introduce three hotels near the venues of the Nagasaki Lantern Festival. Staying here makes it possible enjoy the festivities ad lights until late in the evening.

1. Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae: Great for Families

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The Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae is a well-established hotel chain in Japan renowned for catering wonderfully to families.

It features spacious family rooms, a restaurant, free parking, and a spa and wellness center complete with an onsen.

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Guests can fuel up for a day of adventures with a delightful morning buffet breakfast and enjoy easily accessible sightseeing spots within a ten-minute walk, such as the 26 Martyrs Museum, Megane Bridge, and Nagasaki Museum of History.

With Nagasaki Station just 400 meters away and the closest tram stop, Gotomachi, only a two-minute walk from the hotel, guests can conveniently access the festival and various attractions.

Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown: Stay in the Heart of Chinatown

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Experience a luxurious stay in the heart of Nagasaki's Chinatown at Candeo Hotels, a 4-star hotel located near fantastic sightseeing spots like Minato Park, just a five-minute stroll away.

This gorgeous hotel features a lavish spa and wellness center, including a sauna, open onsen, and hot tub.

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Guests can enjoy spectacular city views from spacious, chic rooms designed with airy modern interiors. The front desk offers 24-hour support in both English and Japanese.

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3. Hilton Nagasaki: Enjoy a Classy Stay Near Nagasaki Station

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For sophistication, comfort, and accessibility, we highly recommend the Hilton Hotel. With top-notch facilities, including a fitness center, bar, and fine dining restaurant, it stands as a modern and bright establishment.

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Guests can enjoy fantastic city views, and rooms range from duplex twin rooms to Premium King Suites with separate living spaces, making it an ideal choice for both leisure and business travelers alike.

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Enjoy the Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2025

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Nagasaki is one of the essential places to visit when exploring Japan, offering insight into the country’s history, culture, and impact on the world.

This compact city is full of wonders and plenty to explore, making the Nagasaki Lantern Festival the perfect time to visit, where cultures collide and festive spirits are high.

As a magnificent, one-of-a-kind festival in Japan, we hope you consider attending this enchanting event!

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