Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2025 – Complete Guide
Thinking about visiting the Nagasaki Lantern Festival? This complete guide has you covered! From stunning lantern displays to must-try foods, unique things to do and the best places to stay, this guide will walk you through everything to expect at this magical event.
Drawing on firsthand experience living in Japan, I’ll share the insider tips you need to make the most of your trip to Nagasaki’s most enchanting festival.
Nagasaki Lantern Festival – A Complete Guide
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival is a vibrant, annual celebration that lights up the city with thousands of colourful lanterns, transforming it into a magical, illuminated wonderland. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
When is the Nagasaki Lantern Festival?
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival kicks off in late January to early February, aligning with the Lunar New Year and lasts for 15 days.
⭐This year, it will run from January 29th to February 12th, 2025.
Origin of the Nagasaki Lantern Festival
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival began as a local celebration of the Lunar New Year by the city’s Chinese community. The presence of a large Chinese community in Nagasaki dates back to the 16th century when Nagasaki was one of the few Japanese cities open to foreign trade.
Chinese merchants, particularly from the Fujian Province, established trade and cultural ties with Japan, settling in designated areas such as the Chinese quarter.
This long-standing Chinese influence is reflected today in Nagasaki’s Chinatown and cultural events like the Nagasaki Lantern Festival. The festival has grown into one of Japan’s largest and most captivating winter events.
What does the Nagasaki Lantern Festival Celebrate?
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival celebrates the Lunar New Year. Initially a small event organized by residents of Nagasaki’s Chinatown, it expanded in the 1990’s into a city-wide festival featuring thousands of colourful lanterns, cultural performances, and parades.
Today, it’s a popular annual event that showcases both Chinese and Japanese traditions, attracting visitors from across Japan and beyond.
What to Expect at the Nagasaki Lantern Festival
From dragon dances, to cultural performances and artfully designed lanterns, the festival offers visitors a unique glimpse into Nagasaki’s multicultural history and the perfect way to experience the warmth and joy of this city’s traditions.
Whether you’re strolling through the lantern-lit streets, enjoying the performances, or sampling delicious food, the Nagasaki Lantern Festival is a sensory feast and a wonderful celebration of culture, light, and community.
Top Things to See and Do at the Festival
With so many things to see, I’ll share the best photo spots, and performances to check out during the festival. Click on the headers for Google Maps links to the locations mentioned below.
Visit the Megane Bridge at Night
“Megane” means “glasses” in Japanese, and the Megane Bridge lives up to its name. The two arches of the bridge create a striking reflection on the water, forming the illusion of a pair of glasses. At night, the water beautifully mirrors the lanterns, making it a must-visit photo spot!
In addition to the stunning bridge, animal-shaped lanterns are placed in the water, adding to the enchanting atmosphere. You can even climb down the nearby stairs to get a closer view. For the perfect shot, there’s also a stone pathway that crosses the river.
Walk through Shinchimachi Chinatown
As you enter Chinatown, you’ll be greeted by the iconic pathway lined with red lanterns. This spot tends to be one of the busier areas of the festival, but the lively crowd only adds to the festive atmosphere.
Follow the path of lanterns, and you’ll feel like as though you’ve stepped into a scene from Spirited Away. Along the way, you’ll pass local shops brimming with souvenirs, while street food vendors tempt you with the scent of freshly steamed dumplings and other delicious treats from their giant bamboo steamers.
Take your time to sample the street food and browse the unique shops. Continue your stroll down the lantern-lit path until you reach Minato Park, where another spectacle of lanterns awaits.
Explore Minato Park (湊公園)
This is where you’ll find an open tented area filled with an array of lanterns. Beautiful lanterns hanging from the ceiling, and more lanterns representing the 12 Chinese zodiac signs can be found here.
Cross the street and you’ll find the central area of the festival, with a giant stage for performances surrounded by – you guessed it, more food stalls! Make sure to check the schedule in advance if there’s a specific performance you want to watch.
Watch the Dragon Dance
Catch the Emperor Parade (皇帝パレード)
The parade reenacts the story of the emperor and empress visiting the town to celebrate the New Year with their people. With 150 participants dressed in traditional attire, it’s a vibrant and colorful procession that brings the story to life.
This spectacular parade typically takes place on Saturdays during the festival, giving you two opportunities to experience it. Be sure to catch it if you can!
Stroll through Hamamachi Shopping Arcade
This is the largest shopping street, or as the Japanese like to called it “Shopping Arcade” in the city. This is a great place to visit if it rains because you will shielded by the roof.
The ceiling is decorated with a stream of lanterns, and the walkway adorned with more lantern sculptures.
Visit Central Park (中央公園)
This is another must-visit spot! Here, you’ll find a stage hosting a variety of performances, along with a spacious, covered seating area at the center. The area is surrounded by food stalls, making it the perfect place to grab a bite and relax while enjoying the show.
The inside of the tent is decorated with more lanterns, creating a magical atmosphere. I was fortunate to catch a traditional Okinawan music performance—an unforgettable experience!
What do people eat at the Nagasaki Lantern Festival?
To celebrate the Lunar New Year, Chinese cuisine takes centre stage at the Nagasaki Lantern Festival. Locals often choose street stalls to enjoy delicious bites while taking in the stunning lantern displays. Here are my top recommendations:
Butaman (Pork Buns)
These fluffy, white, steamed buns are filled with seasoned pork and are a popular festival snack. Vendors will keep them in giant bamboo steamers so they will always be fresh and hot!
Goma Dango (Sesame Balls)
These bite-sized treats are made from glutinous rice flour, which gives them a chewy texture, and are coated in sesame seeds for a crunchy exterior. Inside, they’re usually filled with red bean paste, black sesame paste, or lotus paste.
My personal favourite is the black sesame paste filling! The sesame balls are deep-fried until golden brown, causing the dough to expand and become hollow inside, creating a crunchy exterior and chewy interior.
You’ll find them freshly made and the street stalls and if you’re lucky they’ll still be piping hot!
Pork Belly Buns (Kakuni Manju)
These are soft, sweet buns filled with braised pork belly. They are similar to Butaman (Pork Buns), but these are more sandwich style. The meat is tender due to its specialized long cooking process.
Mooncakes
A Lunar New Year staple! I grew up enjoying these as a child, and because they’re tied to the Lunar New Year, they’re always a special treat.
Mooncakes are traditional Chinese pastries with a rich, dense filling, often made from lotus seed paste or red bean paste. Some varieties include salted egg yolks in the centre—my personal favourite—as a symbol of the full moon.
*Sometimes these contain peanut oil so beware if you have any nut allergies.
Best Tips for Visiting the Nagasaki Lantern Festival
✅ Dress warmly – the festival takes place during the winter season and is outdoors. The lanterns come to life at night where the temperature drops even more, so bring gloves, a hat, and dress in layers.
Kairo are single use heat packs that are popular in Japan and can be purchased at the convenience store or Don Quijote. They even have sticky ones that you can place on your clothing.
✅ Wear comfortable shoes – The illuminations are spread out throughout the city and you will likely do a lot of walking during the festival.
✅ Plan ahead – The Nagasaki Lantern Festival brochure is typically released in December and details key events, dates, and locations. For those looking to experience specific events or ceremonies, the brochure is an essential guide to ensure they don’t miss any highlights of the festival.
✅ Take lots of pictures – visiting the Nagasaki Lantern Festival is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Held during a brief period each year, it’s an event many Japanese people dream of attending but can’t always make it to.
Accommodation
Where should I stay in Nagasaki?
I recommend staying near Chinatown during the Nagasaki Lantern Festival for ease of travel. It will be a lot more convenient to be near the festivities as the buses and trains can get crowded from every one trying to get to the festival.
Accommodation Recommendations
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival brings in people from all over Japan and accommodations fill up months in advance. Book your stay as soon as possible to guarantee a visit to the festival!
⭐ Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown ($$-$$$) – This stylish hotel offers modern comfort and convenience with spacious rooms. The Onsen-style bath offers a soothing experience with panoramic views of the mountains.
⭐ Dormy Inn Nagasaki Shinchichukagai ($$) – This is one of my favourite hotel chains in Japan, they are known for their traditional Japanese hospitality and modern amenities. My favourite parts are the free evening ramen, and the public bath area to relax after a long day.
⭐ Almas Guest House ($) – This is a great option for budget and solo travellers. The beds are very comfortable and have curtains for privacy. It is within walking distance of the festival.
How to Get to Nagasaki from Tokyo
Nagasaki is located in the western coast of the island of Kyushu, which is the southernmost island in Japan. The city is positioned along a scenic harbour, making it one of Japan’s most picturesque coastal cities.
By Air (Fastest Option)
- The quickest way from Tokyo to Nagasaki is by taking a direct flight.
- Flight Time: Approximately 2 hours.
- Airports: You would depart from either Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita Airport (NRT), and arrive at Nagasaki Airport (NGS). I recommend flying out of Haneda as it is closer to Tokyo and more convenient.
- Airlines: Several airlines offer direct flights, including ANA, Japan Airlines, and budget carriers like Peach Aviation.
- From Nagasaki Airport: You can take an airport bus or taxi to the city centre, which takes about 40-50 minutes.
I like to use WayAway to find the best flight prices.
By Train (Scenic Route)
- Shinkansen (Bullet Train) + Limited Express Train: While there is no direct Shinkansen to Nagasaki, you can take a combination of the Shinkansen and Limited Express trains.
- Route:
- Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Hakata Station (Fukuoka) on the Tokaido Shinkansen (about 5 hours).
- From Hakata, transfer to the Relay Kamome Limited Express to Takeo Onsen (about 1 hour)
- Hop on the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen from Takeo Onsen Station to Nagasaki Station (about 30 minutes).
- Total Travel Time: About 7 to 8 hours, depending on transfer times.
- Cost: The total fare will be around ¥29,000 one way (depending on seat class and train type).
- Route:
Tip: If you plan on traveling around Japan by train, you might want to consider getting a Japan Rail Pass, which can save money on long-distance train travel.
Nagasaki Lantern Festival: FAQs
Do I need to purchase a ticket for the Nagasaki Lantern Festival?
Nope! The festival is free to enjoy. The lantern displays and dance performances are open to the public. The only things you’ll need to budget for is the tempting street food and any souvenirs you want to take home.
Is the festival only at night?
No, the Nagasaki Lantern Festival takes place both during the day and at night. Events like the Emperor’s Parade are held during the day, while the lantern displays can also be enjoyed in daylight, offering a different ambiance. However, the lanterns truly come to life after dark, creating a magical atmosphere that’s a must-see.
Conclusion: Why the Nagasaki Lantern Festival Should Be on Your Bucket List
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, offering a mesmerizing blend of cultural traditions, stunning visuals, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Whether you’re captivated by the glowing lanterns, the lively performances, or the delicious local cuisine, there’s something magical about this celebration that will stay with you long after the lights fade.
From the mesmerizing reflections of Megane Bridge to the colourful streets filled with lanterns, every moment feels like a beautiful dream. If you’re planning to visit Japan during the Lunar New Year, don’t miss the chance to witness this incredible festival in one of Japan’s most historic cities.
With its blend of history, culture, and festive charm, the Nagasaki Lantern Festival is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.