The great autumn festival of Suwa Shrine, Nagasaki’s guardian shrine, said to have begun in 1634 when two courtesans performed the Noh chant ‘Komai’ before the deity. Every year for three days from October 7 to 9, the odori-cho (performing neighborhoods) on duty that year present offering performances with an international flair, such as the Jaodori dragon dance, Kokkodesho and the pulling of ship floats. The offering performances are designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
The 2026 odori-cho are six neighborhoods: Imakago-machi (Hon-odori dance), Aburaya-machi (Kawabune river boat), Motofune-machi (Tosen-sai Chinese ship), Kami-machi (Kami-machi Kokkodesho), Kajiya-machi (Shichifukujin Takarabune treasure ship of the Seven Gods of Fortune) and Chikugo-machi (Jaodori dragon dance). Each neighborhood’s turn comes around only once every 7 years, so the performances differ every year. In the Okudari and Onobori, three mikoshi travel between Suwa Shrine and the Otabisho.
October 7. Also at Chuo Park from 8:10 and 17:10, and at the Otabisho from 9:10 the same day. Official information for 2026
October 7. Three mikoshi portable shrines descend from Suwa Shrine to the Otabisho
October 8. Yasaka Shrine from 7:00, Chuo Park from 8:00, Suwa Shrine from 8:20. Official information for 2026
October 9. Otabisho from 7:00, Suwa Shrine from 8:20. Official information for 2026
October 9. The mikoshi return from the Otabisho to Suwa Shrine
Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.
Accommodation in Nagasaki City gets busy from October 7 to 9, so early booking is recommended
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PR9.0Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
AquariumKyushu ・ Nagasaki
An aquarium specializing in penguins, keeping 9 of the world's 18 penguin species. It's said to keep the most penguin species in the world and has one of Japan's largest penguin pools. Admission is an affordable ¥800 for adults, and it can be reached by bus from central Nagasaki.
FebruaryKyushu ・ Nagasaki
Usually around February, at the time of the Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) (17 days from February 5 to 21 in 2027)
2027: Feb 5 (Fri) – Feb 21 (Sun), 17 days
April–May
MayKyushu ・ Fukuoka & Dazaifu
Every year May 3 and 4 (eve festival on May 2)
JulyKyushu ・ Fukuoka & Dazaifu
Every year July 1–15 (the Oiyama race starts at 4:59 in the early morning of the 15th)
SeptemberNovember–FebruaryKyushu ・ Sasebo & Huis Ten Bosch
Usually early November to late February
2026–27 season: Nov 6 (Fri) – Feb 25, 2027 (Thu)
November–FebruaryKyushu ・ Takachiho
Usually mid-November to early February the following year (dates differ by village)
NovemberKyushu ・ Kagoshima, Sakurajima & Ibusuki
Every year November 2 (Yoru Matsuri) and 3 (Hon Matsuri)
2026: Nov 2 (Mon) Yoru Matsuri & Nov 3 (Tue, holiday) Hon Matsuri
NovemberKyushu ・ Karatsu, Arita & Ureshino Onsen
Every year November 2–4 (Yoiyama on the 2nd, Otabisho Shinko on the 3rd, Yokujitsu-sai town tour on the 4th)
2026: Nov 2 (Mon) – Nov 4 (Wed), 3 days
Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.
Last checked: 2026-10-02
