Nagasaki Kunchi Festival

About this event

The autumn grand festival of Suwa Shrine (Chinzei Taisha Suwa Shrine), the guardian deity of Nagasaki, is held every year for 3 days starting from October 7. It is said to have begun in 1634 (Kanei 11) when two courtesans dedicated a Noh song and dance called 'Komee' in front of Suwa Shrine. Featuring unique and dynamic dedicatory dances (hono odori), it boasts a history of over 380 years. The dedicatory dances are designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. The neighborhoods that dedicate the dances are called 'Odoricho', and their turn comes once every 7 years. In addition to Hon-odori (main dances) such as traditional Japanese dances performed to Nagauta music and Oranda Manzai, there are Hikimono (floats), where large groups of people pull wheeled boats. With the added sound of creaking wheels on the cobblestones, they are magnificent and powerful performances. Furthermore, performances where many bearers carry floats, such as Kokkodesho (Taikoyama) and Shachi-daiko, feature acrobatic feats such as tossing the floats into the air and clapping hands, adding further excitement to the festival. It features numerous heroic and gorgeous performances. The shout of 'Mottekoi', which means encore, echoes around, and the spectators' enthusiasm reaches its climax. During the festival period, visitors can enjoy the festive atmosphere throughout the city, making it Nagasaki's premier autumn grand festival visited by many tourists from both inside and outside the prefecture.

Venue

Yasaka Shrine (Gionsha)

8-53 Kajiyamachi, Nagasaki, Nagasaki 850-0831