How to Get to the Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2027: Trains, Airport Bus & Trams
The fastest way to the Nagasaki Lantern Festival (Fri 5 – Sun 21 Feb 2027) is the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen from Hakata (Fukuoka) — about 1 hr 20 min to Nagasaki Station — then Nagasaki's tram Line 1 to the Shinchi Chinatown stop. Viewing the ~15,000 lanterns is free; lanterns are lit 17:00–22:00 nightly. Below is exactly how to arrive and move between the venues.
For dates, hours and what's on, start with our Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2027 guide.
From Fukuoka / Hakata by train
The Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen makes Nagasaki an easy day trip or overnight from Fukuoka. It's a two-leg "relay" journey with a same-platform, cross-platform transfer (no stairs) at Takeo-Onsen:
- Limited express "Relay Kamome" — Hakata → Takeo-Onsen, about 54 min.
- Walk across the platform to the waiting Shinkansen.
- Shinkansen "Kamome" — Takeo-Onsen → Nagasaki, about 23 min.
Total fastest time is around 1 hr 20 min.
Fares (as of July 2026):
| Ticket | Approx. fare (one way) | How to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Standard reserved | ~¥6,490 | Station / ticket machine |
| "Kamome Net" discount | ~¥4,200 | JR Kyushu online |
| "Net Hayatoku 7" (7 days ahead) | ~¥3,200 | JR Kyushu online |
If you can commit to your date a week ahead, the Net Hayatoku 7 fare roughly halves the cost — book on the JR Kyushu online reservation site.
From Nagasaki Airport
Nagasaki Airport sits outside the city on a bridge-linked island. The Kenei / Nagasaki Bus airport limousine runs to Nagasaki Station:
- Via Dejima Road — about 43 min (fastest).
- Via Urakami — about 55 min.
- Fare: ¥1,400 adult / ¥700 child (as of the 2025 revision). Pay on exit — cash or IC card.
From Nagasaki Station, switch to the tram (below) to reach the lantern venues.
Getting around by tram
Nagasaki Electric Tramway is the easiest way between venues, and its Line 1 threads the whole festival core. The fare is a flat single-ride charge in the low-hundreds of yen (IC cards accepted). Key stops:
- Shinchi Chinatown (新地中華街) — for Shinchi Chinatown and Minato Park, the main giant-lantern-object hub.
- Kanko-dori (観光通) — for the Kanko-dori and Hamanomachi covered arcades.
- Shianbashi / Sofukuji — for the southern temple-and-nightlife end.
- Megane-bashi (めがね橋, lines 3/4/5) — for the Nakashima River / Megane-bashi yellow lanterns reflected on the water, the festival's top photo spot. Kofukuji Temple in Teramachi is a short walk from here.
The Nagasaki Confucius Shrine (孔子廟) — a separate paid attraction (adults ¥880, as of July 2026) — is near Ishibashi stop (Line 5), south of the free Chinatown cluster.
A suggested walking route through the venues
The venues cluster tightly enough to walk in an evening. A classic loop:
- Start at Shinchi Chinatown (tram: Shinchi Chinatown) for food and the red-lantern tunnels.
- Step next door to Minato Park for the giant zodiac lantern objects.
- Walk north to Central Park (中央公園), one of the central lantern venues.
- Continue to the Nakashima River / Megane-bashi for the mirrored yellow lanterns — arrive after dark for the reflection.
- Detour to Kofukuji Temple and the Doza River pink lanterns, then loop back through the Hamanomachi and Kanko-dori arcades.
Time it around the Dragon Dance (jaodori), performed every day. For the full programme see our Nagasaki Lantern Festival highlights guide, and for why this festival exists at all, our origin story.
Where to base yourself
- Around Nagasaki Station — best for arrivals/departures and the airport bus; one tram ride from Chinatown.
- Shinchi Chinatown / Kanko-dori — walk-everywhere convenience, right in the lantern glow, but book early.
- Shianbashi — nightlife and dining a short walk south of the core.
Staying near a Line 1 stop means you're never more than minutes from the lanterns.
FAQ
How do I get to the Nagasaki Lantern Festival from Fukuoka? Take the "Relay Kamome" limited express from Hakata to Takeo-Onsen (~54 min), transfer across the platform to the "Kamome" Shinkansen, and continue to Nagasaki (~23 min) — about 1 hr 20 min total.
How much is the train from Hakata to Nagasaki? A standard reserved seat is about ¥6,490 one way, but online discounts like "Kamome Net" (~¥4,200) or "Net Hayatoku 7" (~¥3,200, booked 7 days ahead) cut the cost sharply (as of July 2026).
How do I get from Nagasaki Airport to the city? The airport limousine bus reaches Nagasaki Station in about 43 min via Dejima Road for ¥1,400 adult / ¥700 child (as of the 2025 revision). Pay on exit by cash or IC.
Which tram stop is the festival? Line 1's Shinchi Chinatown stop puts you at Chinatown and Minato Park. Use Megane-bashi (lines 3/4/5) for the Nakashima River lanterns.
Is the Nagasaki Lantern Festival free? Yes — viewing the lanterns and street venues is free. The Confucius Shrine is a separate paid attraction (adults ¥880, as of July 2026).
Can I visit as a day trip from Fukuoka? Yes. With a ~1 hr 20 min train each way and lanterns lit until 22:00, an evening day trip is easy, though staying overnight lets you linger without watching the clock.
Do I need a car? No. Trams and walking cover every venue; central Nagasaki is compact and a car is more hassle than help during the festival.
