Nagasaki Traditional Performing Arts Museum

This museum was built to house the floats and artifacts from the Nagasaki Kunchi Festival, held every October 7 to 9. During the festival, neighborhoods carry large boat-shaped floats through the city and perform votive dances at various stops. The festival began in 1634 with a comic Noh performance at Suwa Shrine, and over the centuries absorbed the Dragon Dance from Nagasaki's Chinese community and a stylized Dutch-caricature dance from the era of Dejima trading post. Video exhibits and a gift shop round out the visit. Neighborhoods still participate in a seven-year rotation that dates to the festival's founding.