Golden Week 2026: Festivals and Events in Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Region
During the Golden Week（around 26th Apr - 5th May), which is ideal for outdoor sightseeing, a variety of events will be held both in and around Kanazawa City. Highlights include the illuminations at Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden, the grand "Hyakumangoku Kashi Hyakkō Ten" (Confectionery Exhibition) held at Kanazawa Castle Park, and the "Gargantua Music Festival," where top-tier music can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors. In the surrounding Kanazawa area, visitors can also experience amazing events such as the Tonami Tulip Fair, the majestic and dynamic Hikiyama Festival, and the Kutani Ceramics Festival, which offer opportunities to connect with nature and local culture. For your Golden Week trip, be sure to visit the Kanazawa & Hokuriku area!
Golden Week Events in Kanazawa
●Kenrokuen ＆ Kanazawa Castle Four Seasons Story : Spring Edition
Kanazawa Castle & Kenrokuen Garden Illuminations / Free Admission
Dates: May 2 (Saturday) - 5 (Tuesday, National Holiday), 2026
Time: 19:00 - 21:00
●Gargantua Music Festival
Top artists from around the world gather in Kanazawa, bringing a series of world-class concerts and transforming the city into a classical music celebration.
★Main Performances (Paid Events)
Dates: May 3 (Sunday, National Holiday) - May 5 (Tuesday, National Holiday), 2026
Venues: Ishikawa Prefectural Music Hall, Kanazawa City Art Hall, Hokuriku Shimbun Akahashi Hall
●Hyakumangoku Kashi Hyakkō Ten（Confectional Festival)
An event celebrating sweets at Kanazawa Castle Park, featuring confectionery sales and traditional wagashi-making experiences.
Dates: May 3 (Sunday, National Holiday) - May 5 (Tuesday, National Holiday)), 2026
Venue: Kanazawa Castle Park
Admission: Free
- Ishikawa-Kanazawa Gargan Music Festival
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- United by music from around the world, together in harmony.
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- The Four Seasons of Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden: Spring Illuminations
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- Light-up event amid the fresh greenery and flowers of spring.
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- Asanogawa River "Koinagashi"
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- An event unique to Kanazawa, based on a traditional Japanese custom
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Festivals and Events Around Kanazawa City During Golden Week
●Kurikara Double Cherry Festival
A festival held to coincide with the blooming of 6,000 double-flowered cherry trees at Kurikara Pass, the site of the historic Genpei War.
Dates: April 18 (Saturday) - 29 (Wednesday, National Holiday), 2026
One of Japan’s largest flower events, featuring 300 varieties and 3 million tulips in full bloom.
Dates: April 22 (Wednesday) - May 5 (Tuesday, National Holiday), 2026
Access: About 50 minutes by express bus from Kanazawa Station East Exit to Tonami
●Kutani Ware Ceramics Festival(in Japanese only)
Around 50 special shops offering Kutani ware, from everyday tableware to exquisite works by renowned artisans, all at special prices.
Dates: May 3 (Saturday, National Holiday) - 5 (Monday, National Holiday), every year
A splendid and luxurious festival held at Johana Shinmeigu Shrine, boasting a 300-year history.
Dates: May 4 (Eve Festival) - 5 (Main Festival), every year
●Fukuno Yotaka Festival (Paper Lantern Parade Festival)
A breathtaking sight as the towering lanterns parade through the town on a spring evening.
Dates: May 1 & 2 (Eve Festival), May 3 (Main Festival), every year
●Takaoka Mikurumayama Festival
Held every year on May 1 at Takaoka Sekiya Shrine in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, this spring festival features magnificent floats.
Dates: May 1 (with an Eve Festival on April 30)
A stunning spectacle featuring massive 12-meter-high, 20-ton floats, a representative symbol of spring in Noto.
Dates: May 3 - 5, every year
Recommended Golden Week Bus Tours Departing from Kanazawa!
During Golden Week, public transportation can get extremely crowded. By taking a tour bus, you can comfortably enjoy a day trip from Kanazawa to popular sightseeing spots in the Hokuriku region.
- Shirakawa-go Adventure
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- One-day trip in a comfortable wagon to a World Heritage village that also became a reference for an anime
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- World Heritage Shirakawa-go Perfect Guided Bus Tour from Kanazawa
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- Discover the beauty of Shirakawago with a local English-speaking guide.
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- ONE-DAY BUS TOUR TO Shiakawa-go & Gokayama
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- Take a day trip from Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go and Gokayama (Ainokura), historic villages known for their traditional gassho-style houses.
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- Kanazawa Premium Cultural Experience: World-Class Taiko & Sake Brewery Dining
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- A rare opportunity to discover the cultural roots of Kanazawa through taiko drumming, sake, and cuisine.
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- Kanazawa: World-Class Fukui Dinosaur Museum Small Group Tour
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- The only direct tour from Kanazawa—no transfers, no hassle.
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- Shirakawa-go and Gokayama World Heritage Village Tour
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- World Heritage Sites Shirakawa-go and Gokayama: Same but totally different!! From/to Kanazawa Station / lunch included / accompanied by an English-speaking guide
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- Shirakawa-go and Takayama Platinum route tour
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- Bus tour to Shirakawago and popular Hida Takayama!! From/to Kanazawa Station / lunch included / accompanied by an English-speaking guide
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- World Heritage Shirakawa-go and Experience 1 Day Bus Tours from Kanazawa
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- Discover the beauty of Shirakawago and Kanazawa— with a local English-speaking guide.
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- Private Chartered Car Tour in Kanazawa / Toyama / Fukui
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- Enjoy a private chartered car tour in Ishikawa, Toyama and Fukui.
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- True Kanazawa: Private Walking tour with a Local guide
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- Discover Kanazawa’s top attractions on a flexible walking tour with a local English-speaking guide.
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- 【One day bus tour】Kanazawa Sta.～Gokayama / Shirakawago / Takayama
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- Reservation possible on the day！Explore world heritage sites including Shirakawa-go, Takayama,Gokayama
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- NOTO PENINSULA / OKU-NOTO DAY TOUR
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- Salt-making Traditions, Contemporary Art & Scenic Landscapes
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- 【One day bus tour】Kanazawa Sta.～Tojinbo/Eiheiji/Maruoka-Castle【Echizen Meguri Bus Tour】
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- Reservation possible on the day
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- Private Charter Tour to Shirakawago
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