Countries
Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival
6
Jun
Date
6 Jun (Saturday)
Time
Sat, Jun 6 – Mon, Jun 8
Venue
Kanazawa City Hall, 1 Chome-1-1 Hirosaka
Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
📝 Useful Information
The Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival is Kanazawa's largest annual event, celebrating the 1583 entry of Lord Maeda Toshiie into Kanazawa Castle, which established the city’s foundation. Held every year on the first weekend of June, the 75th festival is scheduled for Friday, June 5th to Sunday, June 7th, 2026.
The festivities span three days, with the most significant events occurring on Saturday.
Would you like help finding accommodation near the parade route or a detailed schedule of the specific performances at Kanazawa Castle?
Major Festival Highlights
Visitor Information
•Hyakumangoku Parade (Saturday, June 6, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM): This is the festival's centerpiece, featuring a massive period procession.
•Route: Starts at the Tsuzumi-mon Gate (East Plaza of Kanazawa Station) and ends at Kanazawa Castle Park.
•Features: A reenactment of Lord Maeda Toshiie’s entrance, often portrayed by a famous Japanese actor, followed by 2,000 participants in 16th-century samurai armor and costumes.
•Performances: Includes Kagatobi (acrobatic ladder stunts by firefighters), lion dances (Kaga Shishi), and powerful taiko drum performances.
•Kaga Yuzen Lantern Floating (Friday Evening): On the festival's opening night, approximately 600 candle-lit lanterns are floated down the Asano River near the Higashi Chaya District to honor ancestors.
•Hyakumangoku Dancing Parade (Saturday Evening, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM): Over 10,000 local residents in traditional yukata (summer kimonos) perform folk dances along the city's main streets.
•Hyakumangoku Takigi Noh (Saturday Night, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM): A solemn outdoor Noh theater performance held by torchlight at Kanazawa Castle Park.
•Hyakumangoku Tea Ceremony (Saturday & Sunday): Traditional tea ceremonies are hosted by various schools at tea houses in and around Kenrokuen Garden.
•Admission: Most outdoor events, including the parade and Noh performance, are free to watch. The tea ceremony typically requires a fee (approx. 1,500 yen).
•Garden Access: During the three-day festival, Kenrokuen Garden often opens to the public free of charge and features nighttime illuminations.
•Logistics: Extensive traffic regulations will be in place in central Kanazawa on Saturday afternoon, with local buses operating on temporary detour routes.
Updated at 18 Mar 2026