Suwa Shrine (Nagasaki) significant event Nagasaki Kunchi
Suwa Shrine (諏訪神社 suwa jinja) is the major Shinto shrine of Nagasaki, Japan, and home to the  Nagasaki Kunchi (kunchi (くんち) is believed to refer to September 9 (9月9日,くにち) in the dialect of northern Kyushu). It is located in the northern part of the city, on the slopes of Mount Tamazono-san, and features a 277-step stone staircase leading up the mountain to the various buildings that comprise the shrine.
Suwa shrine was established as a way of stopping and reverting the conversion to Christianity that was taking place in Nagasaki. In modern times it remains an important and successful center of the community.
The shrine in Nagasaki is one of many Suwa shrines, all of which are dedicated to Suwa-no-Kami, a kami of valor and duty, and are linked with Suwa Taisha, the head shrine of Suwa-no-Kami worship.  Two other kami spirits are also enshrined at Suwa shrine, all three of which are celebrated during the Kunchi.Atomic bomb commemorative service - This festival is probably unique in all of Japan, in that it combines elements of Christian, Buddhist and Shinto worship to pray for the 35,000-40,000 people killed by the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki. It takes place every year on August 9.
Doll's Festival - Like all of Japan, Suwa Shrine observes the Doll's Festival on March 3. However, since the 1980s the festival has been observed in an unusual way, in that attractive, 20-year-old women are selected to wear the shrine's collection of antique kimono and pose in a live Doll's Day procession.  The competition amongst the young women is fierce, and there are far more applicants than positions in the festival.  The two most beautiful women are chosen for the key roles of the Emperor and Empress in the procession. This tradition was created largely as a media event to promote and advertise Suwa shrine, and every year television crews are invited to broadcast the festival.Kunchi - The most famous of Suwa Shrine's festivals, this festival began along with the founding of the shrine as a way to both demonstrate its new importance in the community and as a way to hunt for Hidden Christians. Kunchi is held from October 7 to 9 every year and is considered one of the major festivals of Japan, along with the Gion Matsuri and Osaka's Tenjin Matsuri.  It has been designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Asset.
Yutate-sai - A theatrical ritual, originally performed by yamabushi, a priest demonstrates his communion with the kami by plunging his hands into boiling water unharmed. This ritual was performed on the opening of Suwa shrine, and is continued to be performed to this day.  It is very rare at other Shinto shrines.