Chankoko Bon Dance

About

From August 13 to 15, during Obon, Chankoko dancers move through the former Fukue area of Goto City performing a nenbutsu, or Buddhist chant, dance. With faces hidden behind cloth and hats hung with colorful decorations, grass skirts swinging and drums held at the waist, they make an unforgettable sight. Each district's group visits mainly homes marking their first Bon after a death, and cemeteries. No one knows exactly how it began, but a record from 1187 mentions seeing it danced on Uku Island, so it has deep roots in the Goto Islands. Nine groups remain in the Fukue area, and the Chankoko of two of them, Kami-Otsu and Shimo-Otsu, is a Nagasaki Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property. On the daytime of August 13 they often dance around the shopping streets, where people gather to watch. Routes change from year to year, so listen for the bells ringing through town and follow them.

Sources

• OfficialNagasaki Prefectural Tourism Association (Nagasaki Tabinet) www.nagasaki-tabinet.com

Last checked: Oct 10, 2026. Event information is based on official announcements, but changes may not always be reflected here. Please check each official website for accurate details.

Other events this month

• Omura Nagoshi Festival
• Tsushima Izuhara Port Festival
• Shoro Nagashi (Spirit Boat Procession)
• Emukae Sen-Toro Lantern Festival