Product Description

Kanazawa City Center, Ishikawa Prefecture
June 6 – June 8, 2026
Entry: Free
Official Website: https://100mangoku.net/foreign/
Phone: 076-220-2194

Step back into the grandeur of feudal Japan during the Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival, a vibrant, city-wide celebration marking the arrival of Lord Maeda Toshiie—the first feudal lord of Kanazawa—into Kanazawa Castle in 1583. This annual three-day event is one of Japan’s most culturally rich festivals, featuring historical reenactments, traditional performances, and spectacular processions.

Festival Highlights

Hyakumangoku Parade
From JR Kanazawa Station (Kenrokuen Gate) to Kanazawa Castle Park
Saturday, June 7 | 14:00–17:50
The highlight of the festival, this grand parade includes samurai warriors in full armor, elegant noblewomen, lion dancers, and the famous Kagatobi—Kanazawa’s firefighter acrobats performing daring feats on tall bamboo ladders. The parade reenacts Lord Maeda’s historic entry into Kanazawa Castle.

Three-Day Schedule Overview

Day 1 – June 6
09:00–10:00: Water Drawing Ceremony at Kanazawa Shrine
Priests draw sacred water from the Kinjo Reitaku well, followed by a procession and tea whisk retirement ritual at Seisonkaku Villa.

10:00–10:40: Shinto prayers at Oyama Shrine
13:00–14:00: Tea offering ceremony at Oyama Shrine
18:40–21:00: Children’s Lantern & Taiko Procession through town
19:00–20:00: Kaga Yuzen Lanterns floated along the scenic Asano River

Day 2 – June 7
10:00–18:00: Bon Shogatsu Celebration at Kanazawa Castle Park
A “Summer New Year” event with lion dances, folk performances, and taiko drumming.

10:30–16:00: Folk song performances at the Kanazawa Opera House
14:00–17:50: Hyakumangoku Parade
18:00–20:00: Traditional Dance Parade along Route 157
Locals dressed in colorful yukata perform traditional Hyakumangoku Odori dances.

19:00–21:00: Takigi Noh (Torchlight Noh Theatre) at Kanazawa Castle Park
A mystical performance of Noh under torchlight. Children’s performance at 18:30.
Rain venue: Ishikawa Prefectural Noh Theater

Day 3 – June 8
08:30–16:00: Hyakumangoku Tea Ceremony at Kenrokuen
10:00–16:00: Bon Shogatsu continues at Kanazawa Castle Park
10:30–16:00: Folk song performances at Theater Kagekiza
Shows at 10:30 and 14:00

We Recommend These Must-Try Moments

1. VASARA Kimono and Yukata Rental in Kanazawa
Stroll Kanazawa’s historic districts in a beautifully styled kimono or yukata.
Choose from a wide variety of designs and enjoy dressing assistance.
Perfect for photos around Kenrokuen, Higashi Chaya, and Kanazawa Castle.

2. 2D1N Shirakawago & Takayama & Kanazawa Bus Tour from Nagoya
Explore Japan’s scenic heartlands with an overnight tour from Nagoya.
Visit Shirakawago’s gassho-style houses, historic Takayama, and cultural Kanazawa.
A well-paced journey through UNESCO sites and Edo-period towns.

3. Samurai Town Private Full Day Tour in Kanazawa
Dive into the samurai legacy of Kanazawa with a guided private tour.
Walk through Nagamachi Samurai District, Kenrokuen Garden, and traditional crafts shops.
Great for history buffs and those seeking authentic cultural insights.

4. World Heritage Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa Day Tour
Experience the contrast of rural and urban heritage in a single day.
Explore Shirakawa-go’s iconic thatched villages and Kanazawa’s cultural treasures.
A convenient and scenic journey into Japan’s historic heart.

5. Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour
Taste your way through Kanazawa’s vibrant evening food scene.
Enjoy local specialties, izakaya dishes, and sake with a local guide.
An ideal tour for food lovers wanting a deep local dining experience.

Why Visit

• One of Japan’s most elegant historical parades
• Free Noh theatre performances
• Tea ceremonies in Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s top landscape gardens
• Traditional dance and ritual performances by local residents
• A blend of cultural depth, historical charm, and vibrant atmosphere

Getting There
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to JR Kanazawa Station from Tokyo (about 2.5 to 3 hours). The main events begin right outside the station and continue through the Kenrokuen and Kanazawa Castle Park areas, all accessible on foot from central accommodations.