Golden Week 2025: Festivals and Events in Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Region｜VISIT KANAZAWA, JAPAN

Golden Week 2025: 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: April 26 (Saturday) - 27 (Sunday), 2025, May 3 (Friday, National Holiday) - 5 (Monday, National Holiday)
Time: 19:00 - 21:00

details here

●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 (Saturday, National Holiday) - May 5 (Monday, National Holiday), 2025
Venues: Ishikawa Prefectural Music Hall, Kanazawa City Art Hall, Hokuriku Shimbun Akahashi Hall

details here

●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 (Sat.) - May 5 (Fri.), 2025
Venue: Kanazawa Castle Park
Admission: Free

Ishikawa-Kanazawa Gargan Music Festival: United by music from around the world, together in harmony.; more

The Four Seasons of Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden: Spring Illuminations: Light-up event amid the fresh greenery and flowers of spring.; more

Asanogawa River "Koinagashi": An event unique to Kanazawa, based on a traditional Japanese custom; more

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 19 (Saturday) - 29 (Tuesday, National Holiday), 2025

●Tonami Tulip Fair

One of Japan’s largest flower events, featuring 300 varieties and 3 million tulips in full bloom.

Dates: April 22 (Tuesday) - May 5 (Monday, National Holiday), 2025

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

●Johana Hikiyama Festival

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)

●Seihaku Festival

A stunning spectacle featuring massive 12-meter-high, 20-ton floats, a representative symbol of spring in Noto.

Dates: May 3 - 5, every year

Fukuno Yotaka Matsuri Festival［Paper lantern parade festival］: A traditional festival in the Fukuno district of Nanto City, next to Kanazawa City.; more

Johana Hikiyama Matsuri Festival: One of “Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO”; more

Takaoka Mikurumayama Festival: A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Important Tangible Folk Cultural Asset, and Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset.; more

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.

[Limited Time Only] Kurobe-Tateyama Alpine Route Snow Wall Walk – Day Trip Plan: A limited-time snow corridor walk with a private guide.; more

Hakusan Alpine Botanical Garden and Historic Villages "SHIRAMINE" Bus Tour: Get in touch with the wonderful Japanese nature and culture!　 From/to Kanazawa Station / lunch included / accompanied by an English-speaking guide; more

Shirakawa-go and Gokayama World Heritage Village Tour: World Heritage Sites Shirakawa-go and Gokayama: Same but totally different!! From/to Kanazawa Station / lunch included / accompanied by an English-speaking guide; more

Shirakawa-go and Takayama Platinum route tour: Bus tour to Shirakawago and popular Hida Takayama!! From/to Kanazawa Station / lunch included / accompanied by an English-speaking guide; more

Weekend only! World Heritage Shirakawa-go One-Day Bus Tour: Enjoy Shirakawago to the fullest! From/to Kanazawa Station / lunch included / accompanied by an English-speaking guide; more

Life in a Gassho-style Village: One-on-one Tour of Gokayama with a Local Guide: more

The Kokiriko Experience: One-on-one Tour of Gokayama (Kaminashi) with a Local Guide: more

【From Kanazawa】Tateyama Kurobe Snow Wall 2025 Festival 1 Day Bus Tour with English Guide: Available only during this season. Please join us!; more

【One day bus tour】Kanazawa Sta.～Gokayama / Shirakawago / Takayama: Reservation possible on the day！Explore world heritage sites including Shirakawa-go, Takayama,Gokayama; more