Kanazawa: Your Ultimate Summer Destination for Must-See Events,Festivals, Fireworks & More!!
Kanazawa's Summer: From fiery fireworks displays and the dreamlike illumination of Kenrokuen to the vibrant spirit of local festivals (June-August), this is summer at its finest. Our monthly guide will help you plan your unforgettable Kanazawa summer adventure!
June Events
June in Kanazawa opens with the excitement of the Hyakumangoku Festival. The entire city is filled with the excitement of the festival, with gorgeous processions and traditional performing arts. Vivid azaleas in full bloom in Kenrokuen Garden add a tranquil atmosphere to the city. In various parts of the city, flowers such as kakitsubata are in full bloom, creating a beautiful contrast with the fresh greenery. Visitors can fully enjoy the charm of Kanazawa, where history and nature are woven together, while feeling the refreshing breeze of early summer.
Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival
This is Kanazawa City's largest festival, held to commemorate the achievements of Lord Maeda Toshiie, founder of the Kaga Domain, who laid the foundation of Kanazawa. Traditional Kanazawa events are held in the center of Kanazawa City for three days.The main event, the Hyakumangoku Parade , is a gorgeous period procession and features an actor in the leading role of Toshiie, and is popular nationwide.
Date: June 6-8, 2025
Kaga Yuzen Lantern Floating June 6th 19:00-21:00 at Asano River
Hyakumangoku Parade June 7th 14:00-17:50 at JR Kanazawa Station, Kenrokuen Gate (East Gate) to Kanazawa Castle Park
Hyakumangoku Takigi-noh June 7th 19:00-21:00 at Kanazawa castle park
Hyakumangoku Odori Nagashi June 7th 18:00-20:00 at Korinbo, Katamachi Aria
Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden Light-up - Early Summer Illuminations
Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden will be opened free of charge at night and lit up. A related event of the Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival, “Hyakumangoku Takigi Noh (Noh Play)” will also be held.
Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025
Admission free
Kenrokuen Garden in the Evening (Fireflies in the Night)
Kenrokuen Garden is located in the heart of the city, but has abundant greenery and clean water from the Tatsumi Irrigation Canal, making it a great place to view genji and heike fireflies.
Dates: June 27 (Fri.), 28 (Sat.), July 4 (Fri.), 5 (Sat.), 2025
Hours: 19:30 - 21:10 (the park closes at 21:30)
Admission free
Himuro-biraki (Opening the Icehouse, Himuro)
This event is a reenactment of the Edo period (1603-1867) when the Kaga Clan offered ice to the Tokugawa family. This event is held every year on June 30 at Yuwaku Onsen (hot spring).
Many Japanese confectionery stores in Kanazawa City sell “Himuro-manju” (sweet buns made of ice cube) in conjunction with this event, which is customary for Kanazawa citizens to eat to pray for good health and good fortune.
July Events
The Ishikawa Prefectural Noh Theater presents Kyogen and Noh plays every Saturday from July to August. Recommended for first-time Noh viewers.
Date: every Saturday from July to August 2025.
Performance time: 17:00-19:00 (doors open 16:00)
Admission: 1500 yen *except for special performances.
●Riverside Dining（Kanazawa Asanokawa Enoyukai Shiraito Kawadoko)
Enjoy the hospitality of Kanazawa geiko and Kaga cuisine on the riverside terrace of Asano river.
Date: 25 July (Fri) - 9 August (Sat), 2025
Opening hours: 18:30-20:00
●Ohno Hiyoshi-jinja Shrine Festival ‘Sanno Matsuri’ (Sanno Festival)
The Sanno Devil's Dance, a Kanazawa City-designated Intangible Folk Cultural Asset, the Kaga shishimai(Lion Dance) and the Yakko-gyouretsu(Slave queue) lead the Mikoshi parade procession through the town.
Date: 26 (Sat) and 27 (Sun) July 2025
●Hokkoku Fireworks in Kanazawa
The only fireworks display in central Kanazawa. The launch site is on the banks of the Saigawa River.
Date: 26 July (Sat), 2025.
Kanazawa in August is full of night events. We recommend the fantastic lighting up of Kenrokuen Garden and the Night Zoo, where you can see animals in a different light than usual, and enjoy them in a cool and comfortable environment away from the heat.The Kanazawa Yume Kaido (Kanazawa Dream Road) and Kanazawa Acapella Town are also popular annual events where participants and spectators get together.
Ono Minato Jinja Summer Grand Festival
This summer festival is a Shinto ritual designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Asset by Kanazawa City. The portable shrine procession features floats and drum stands, and folk performing arts such as demon exorcism, lion dances, children's dance and Kagatobi ladder-climbing are performed.
Dates: 1-3 August 2025.
An annual summer event in which the national road in central Kanazawa is transformed into a pedestrian paradise, with a variety of performances including a YOSAKOI Soran stage performance and marching band performances.
Date: 9 (Sat),10 (Sun)August, 2025
Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden Light-up Summer Illumination
Date: 9 (Sat), 10 (Sun), 16 (Sat), 23 (Sat) and 30 (Sat) August 2025
Kanazawa A Cappella Town
A cappella groups will be invited from all over the country to hold a cappella street live performances simultaneously at various locations in the centre of Kanazawa City.
Date: 23 (Sat),24 (Sun)August, 2025
