Hirado Lantern Festival and Hirado Kunchi Festival

The Hirado Lantern Festival (October 17-27) will be held again this year which is centered around the traditional Hirado Kunchi Festival with its traditional Hirado Kagura dances, Tasuke Hayabushi dances and other folklore such as the local dragon dance. Also, Kunchi Cuisine will be available during the festival.
For the duration of the festival, the whole town will be decorated with sacred Japanese ropes, called `shimenawa` that are used to separate a sacred area. On the 24th and the 25th the town will also be decorated with many lanterns on which Japanese poems are written, creating a special atmosphere in the town where you can stroll around in the evening.


Events overview


Hirado Kagura Dances (Evening Kagura) and Tea Ceremony
Lanterns will be lined up and the fantastic kagura dances will be performed

- Time: October 17, 18 and 24 from 19:00-21:30 hours
- Place: Matsura Historical Museum (Tea ceremony on the 24th will be held
in the garden along the O-heya-no-saka slope)


Hirado Kunchi Festival
Mikoshi will be carried around town in a large procession with samurai warriors and all the
24 dances of Hirado Kagura will be performed in one complete set (Daidaikagura),
which happens only once a year.

- Procession: October 25, from 10:00 onwards, throughout town
- Daidaikagura: October 26, from 11:00 onwards, Kameoka Shrine
- Tea Ceremony: October 27, from 13:00 onwards, Kameoka Shrine


Kunchi Cuisine at old Japanese townhouses
Oshi-sushi and other dishes that have been passed on over the ages can be enjoyed at
various old townhouses in the city centre. A pass will give you three separate servings at
any location of
your choice.

- Time: October 24, 25. Afternoon: 11:00-16:00 Evening: 17:00-21:00
- Places: At various places in the following neighbourhoods: Miyanoura-cho, Kihikida-cho,
Shinmachi, Shokunin-cho, Sakigata-cho (see map for details)
- Cost: (for 3 coupons valid at all participating venues), Adults: ¥1000, Children: ¥1000


Poem Lanterns and other art objects
Huge lanterns with haiku poems on them and other light objects create a special festive
atmosphere around town.

- Time: October 24, 25, from 18:00-21:00
- Places: All along the main shopping street and other neighbourhoods from Sakigata-cho to
Shokunin-cho. (see map for details)


Traditional Performance Festa
Traditional performances, such as the Tasuke Hayabushi dance, that have been passed on
over the centuries will be performed by local children and adults.

- Children’s Traditional Performaces: Hirado Port Exchange Plaza, October 25, from 15:00
onwards
- Tasuke Hayabushi Performance: Main shopping street and Hirado Port Exchange Plaza
from 18:30 onwards


Traditional Performances
Lion dances and dragon dances that can rarely been seen will be performed and you will
certainly be impressed by the energy of the dragon dancers

- Time: Dragon dance: October 24th at around 19:00, 25th all day and around 19:00 hours
Lion dance: October 24 from 19:30 onwards
- Places:
Dragon dance: Kihikida-cho both evenings, various places throughout October 25 including
the main shopping street during the afternoon.
Lion dance: Miyanoura-cho in the evening


Big pot cuisine feast
The delicious local dishes Ara-nabe and Uchiwaebi-nabe will be dished out for free, on a first
come first serve basis, so don’t be too late!

- Time: October 17 Ara nabe (fish pot) and October 18 Uchiwa-ebi nabe (Slipper lobster pot)
- Place: Matsura Historical Museum