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Illumination
Nagasaki Lantern Festival - Japan's Largest Chinese New Year Celebration
Illumination Traditional Festival (matsuri)
Nagasaki / February
About This Event
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival began in 1994, when a modest "Spring Festival" held by the Chinese community in Shinchi Chinatown was expanded to fill the entire city. Today it is a signature winter event that celebrates the Lunar New Year with dazzling light and color across seven main venues and surrounding shopping streets in central Nagasaki.
As dusk falls, more than 15,000 lanterns flicker to life. Each district—Minato Park, Hamamachi Arcade, Chuo Park, the area around Spectacles Bridge, and others—adopts its own theme color, so strolling from zone to zone feels like moving through a shifting kaleidoscope. Giant illuminated sculptures modeled on figures from Chinese mythology, zodiac animals, and auspicious symbols tower above the crowds, serving as dramatic photo spots.
The festival runs roughly 15 days from late January to mid-February to coincide with Lunar New Year. In 2025 it was held from 29 January to 12 February; beginning in 2026 the schedule will stabilize at "the first Friday of February for 17 days," with opening year dates of 6–23 February. When the opening-night cannon booms and every lantern ignites at once, the square erupts in cheers.
Live performances steep the city in Chinese heritage. A lavish Emperor's Parade recreates a Qing-dynasty imperial procession, while the Mazu Procession venerates the sea goddess. Dragon dances, lion dances, Sichuan "face-changing" opera, and acrobatics rotate through the program, transforming ordinary streets into a festive stage.
Visitor numbers hover around one million each year. The 2024 edition set a record of roughly 1.21 million attendees, though rain and wind pared 2025 figures back to about 520,000. Lanterns glow nightly from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and their reflections on the rivers add a dreamy finale. Recent additions—real-time crowd maps accessible by smartphone and an IC-card-compatible "Lantern Day Pass" for public transit—make navigating the celebration easier than ever.
Nagasaki's long history as a trading port with China imbued the city with a hybrid "Wa-Ka-Ran" culture blending Japanese, Chinese, and Western influences. The Lantern Festival is the most vivid expression of that past. Start at Minato Park, follow the illuminated corridors to Spectacles Bridge and Hamamachi, nibble on kakuni steamed buns or mooncakes from street stalls, and you'll find winter in Nagasaki lit by thousands of tiny suns—past and present glowing side by side.
Main Experience
Nagasaki Private 1Day Tour from Fukuoka
◆Introduction ・For those with limited time but who want to see the best from Fukuoka to Nagasaki and everything in between, this is the tour for you! It will be a long day with approx. 6 hours of driving but the memories and experiences will be worth it, to explore the countryside of the region. ・We will visit many natural attractions that will amaze you with their beauty and uniqueness. Japanese cultural attractions are also a big part of our day and you will be more connected to Japan as a result of these interactions. Only a tour like this one will allow you to see real Japan that you don't get to experience from city stays. ・Finally, extra special experiences will be had that can only be achieved with a guide who has lived in Japan for many years. I hope to share these attractions with an eager clientele. ・I am sure you will appreciate my passion and energy for this amazing region of Kyushu and no I don't mind you you have a small snooze along the way and or on the 2 hour return drive to Fukuoka. ◆Included ・ Alcoholic Beverages/Bottled water ・Lunch ・Snacks ・Air-conditioned vehicle ・WiFi on board ・Private transportation ◆Not Included ・Gratuities ◆Itinerary ・Kagamiyama Observatory (40min) Mount Kagami in Saga offers one of Kyushu’s best views, just an hour from Fukuoka—ideal for a scenic day trip. ・Karatsu Castle (55min) Overlooking Karatsu Bay, embodies Japan’s history and culture with beautiful views and fascinating architecture. ・Shida-yaki Pottery Factory Museum (50min) Kyushu’s pottery hub educates visitors on ceramic history and offers classes to experience traditional craftsmanship firsthand. ・Yutoku Inari Shrine (40min) One of Japan’s top four Inari shrines, immerses visitors in Japanese history and culture. ・Sachihime Sake Brewery (40min) This Fukuoka sake brewery offers a traditional brewing experience with tastings in a charming historic setting. ・Oouo Shrine (20min) ・Fruits Bus Stop (20min) ・Spectacles Bridge (Meganebashi) (30min) Spectacle Bridge in Isahaya Park offers scenic trails, temples, and a rich history dating back to 1839. ・Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum (45min) Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum highlights the devastation's impact and emphasizes world peace. ・Nagasaki Peace Park (45min) ・Inasayama Observation Deck (35min) Mount Inasa showcases Nagasaki’s stunning nighttime views, among Japan's most scenic. ◆Additional Info ・Your guide will pick you up from a hotel in Fukuoka City. Please enter hotel name and address.    
$742.28 / person
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Event Information
- Location
- Nagasaki
- Categories
- Illumination, Traditional Festival (matsuri)
- Event Dates
- February
- Official Website
- Visit Official Site
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