The old Bon Festival traditions of Nomo, brought together through dance and shipboard rituals
Nomo Bon Odori
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Old Bon season, 17th day of the 7th lunar month
- Location
- Shrines and temples in Nomo, Nagasaki City, and the surrounding sea
- Area
- Nagasaki Prefecture・Nagasaki City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 50 min–2 h 20 min · flight time only)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
An old Bon season folk performing art passed down in Nomo, Nagasaki City, combining dedication dances with the maritime Ura Festival.
About Nomo Bon Odori
Nomo is a folk performing art held during the old Bon season in Nomo, Nagasaki City.
The name Nomo Bon Odori collectively refers to dances dedicated at shrines and temples and the maritime Ura Festival, which venerates the dragon deity and Ebisu Shrine.
An event combining dance and shipboard rituals, preserving the local faith and performing arts.
It was selected as a national intangible folk cultural property in 1972.
Source: 野母盆踊 - 長崎市ウェブサイト（文化財課）
Festival highlights
Highlights include 4 dances dedicated at shrines and temples, and the Ura Festival held at sea.
The dedication dances consist of Hokomai, Mossee, Churo, and Tonogyan. Churo features an old-style song from the saibara repertoire.
At the Ura Festival, rituals include offering a sake barrel to the dragon deity and steering boats to the beat of drums.
A distinctive feature is the combination of dances and maritime events.
The old Bon Festival traditions of Nomo, brought together through dance and shipboard rituals
What to expect
The event consists of 2 parts: dedication dances at shrines and temples, and the Ura Festival held at sea.
The dedication dances proceed in order: Hokomai, Mossee, Churo, and Tonogyan. Drum rhythms are also played during Tonogyan.
The Ura Festival consists of 3 parts: barrel offering, Shichi-Go-San, and the child’s dance, with rituals conducted aboard boats.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Nomo, Nagasaki City.
Dedication dances are held at shrines and temples, and the Ura Festival takes place at sea.
Address Nomo, Nagasaki City
Dates and season
The Nomo Bon Odori is held during the old-calendar period, and its public date is said to be the 17th day of the 7th month in the old calendar.
Because the event follows the lunar calendar, its Gregorian date varies from year to year.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース
Accommodation and hotels PR
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Nearby attractions
グラバー園
長崎県長崎市南山手町にある観光施設
シーボルト記念館
長崎県長崎市にある博物館
三菱重工業長崎造船所史料館
長崎県長崎市にある企業博物館
出島資料館
長崎県長崎市にある出島の歴史資料館
南山手十六番館
長崎県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
国立長崎原爆死没者追悼平和祈念館
日本の長崎県長崎市にある追悼施設
外海歴史民俗資料館
長崎県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
山王神社
長崎県長崎市にある神社
平和公園
長崎市の公園
日本二十六聖人記念館
長崎県長崎市にある博物館
写真：No machine-readable author provided. Fk assumed (based on copyright claims). / CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo source ·
旧長崎税関下り松派出所
長崎県長崎市にある歴史的建造物
旧香港上海銀行長崎支店
香港上海銀行の旧長崎支店を引き継いだ記念館
Origins and History of Nomo Bon Odori
One account of the origins of Nomo Bon Odori says it began to commemorate the elderly woman of a married couple of Kumano fishermen who opened up this area, and to comfort her spirit.
The dedication dances are performed at 10 locations, including Kumano Shrine and Kaizoji Temple, and have been passed down together with the maritime Ura Festival.
It was designated a prefecturally designated intangible folk cultural property in 1950, and selected as a national intangible folk cultural property in 1972.
Official information
The Nagasaki City Cultural Properties Division introduces Nomo Bon Odori as a prefecturally designated intangible folk cultural property (selected by the national government).
“Nomo no Bon Odori” is also listed in the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties.
Nomo Bon Odori at a Glance
Nomo Bon Odori is a traditional event in Nomo, Nagasaki City, combining dances dedicated at shrines and temples with the maritime Ura Festival.
Dances such as Hokomai and Churo, drums, the offering of sake in the barrel-offering ritual, and shipboard rituals have been passed down through generations.
This performing art is presented on the 17th day of the 7th lunar month during the old Bon season, and has also been selected as a national intangible folk cultural property.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
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Article updated: 2026/10/19
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