Summer in Kanazawa ★ June-August Travel Guide to Start Your Planning!
Good travel planning starts with getting to know the destination.
To craft your perfect itinerary, it's important to gather the right information: what to wear, what to pack for the season, and which local events, experiences, and must-see spots to include along the way.
Weather and Clothing in Summer
Kanazawa is known as a region where it rains so often that people say, “You may forget your lunch, but don’t forget your umbrella.” However, from May to June, just before the rainy season begins, the air is crisp and refreshing, and the city’s lush greenery shines brightly. All throughout May and July, the sun is strong on clear days, so a parasol or hat will come in handy. Once the rainy season begins, an umbrella becomes essential, and as it can feel a bit chilly, a light jacket or a shawl comes in handy. You can carry a folding umbrella with you, or you can rent rain boots and umbrellas at the tourist information center at Kanazawa Station. After the rainy season ends, there are many muggy days, so wear breathable clothing to prevent heatstroke. Since museums and hotels are often well-air-conditioned, it might be a good idea to bring a light jacket that you can put on or take off as needed.
<Clothing>
From May to June : Long-sleeve shirts, short-sleeve shirts, lightweight outerwear
From July to August : Short-sleeve shirts, Sleeveless tops
<Recommended Items>
・Sun umbrella, hat, sunglasses, etc.
・Folding umbrella
・Light outerwear (cardigan, long-sleeve shirt, scarf, etc.)
We also recommend taking a morning stroll in the summer!
Many people say, “I love Kanazawa best in the morning.” If you get up a little early, even the downtown tourist spots, which are bustling with crowds during the day, can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace alongside the crisp morning air." Especially in the summer, we recommend taking a stroll through the city while it’s still cool. Be sure to check out the feature linked below for scenes you can only experience in the morning and insider tips!
Kanazawa's Summer Flavors
While Kanazawa is best known for winter delicacies like crab and yellowtail, summer brings its own delicious seafood, with Noto-grown rock oysters being particularly popular. Additionally, Kaga vegetables such as Kaga Futokyuri (Big Cucumbers), Kaga Tsurumame (Wild Soybeans), and Heta Murasaki Nasu (Eggplants) are in season. A signature summer dish unique to Kanazawa is “grilled loach,” and many locals actually prefer loach over eel, making it a true soul food for Kanazawa residents. Many Japanese restaurants and izakayas feature “grilled loach” on their menus, and you can easily purchase it at specialty shops around Omicho Market and the Asanogawa River area. For sweets, we recommend “shaved ice”—a treat unique to Kanazawa thanks to its delicious water—as well as soft-serve ice cream and seasonal Japanese confections. If you’re visiting around July 1st, be sure to try the limited-time “Himuro Manju,” a traditional pastry traditionally eaten on that day.
In Kanazawa, there are certain foods that are considered quintessential summer traditions. One of these is the “Himuro Manju,” which is eaten every year on July 1 (the first day of the sixth month in the lunar calendar). In the Kaga Domain, since the feudal period, snow accumulated during the winter was stored in cold storage facilities called “Himuro” (ice houses). In the summer, the snow was taken out and used as ice, and some was also presented to the shogunate. The wheat-filled manju eaten at that time to pray for good health and the absence of illness came to be known as “Himuro Manju.” Even today, it is sold for a limited time—from around the end of June through July 1—at traditional Japanese confectionery shops throughout the city.
Cool Places to Take a Stroll
Head to Kanazawa’s refreshing spots, where cool waters and the shade of lush trees create a pleasant atmosphere.
Mount Utatsuyama, home to the Utatsuyama Iris Garden that is famous for its beautiful irises and hydrangeas, offers a panoramic view of Kanazawa from its hilltop vantage point.
Even in water-rich Kanazawa, where you can find springs and irrigation channels throughout the city, “Kinjo Reitaku”—the source of the city’s name—stands out as a truly exceptional spot for its famous water and cool atmosphere.
If you venture out to the Ono and Kanaiwa areas of the Kanazawa Bay Area, you can enjoy another side of Kanazawa’s history and culture alongside the sparkling seaside scenery. For trips of two nights or more, we recommend renting a car or taking a bus tour to visit nature-rich destinations like Noto, the foothills of Mt. Hakusan, Kaga, Gokayama, and Shirakawa-go.
◎ Hanashobu-en Iris Garden (in Utatsuyama Park)
The “Hanashobu-en Iris Garden ” is renowned for its beautiful irises and hydrangeas, which reach their peak from mid-June to mid-July. The garden features approximately 200,000 iris plants across 100 varieties, as well as 2,900 hydrangea plants. Utatsuyama Park also offers various viewpoints, such as the Bokodai observation deck with a panoramic view of downtown Kanazawa. So, why not enjoy a leisurely stroll?
◎ Kanazawa Shrine’s Famous Spring: “Kinjo Reitaku”
“Kinjo Reitaku” is a legendary site said to be the origin of the place name “Kanazawa.”
Located near Kanazawa Jinja Shrine that adjoins Kenrokuen Garden, it is a source of clear, gushing water.
The water at the hand-washing basin of Kanazawa Jinja Shrine comes from the same underground source as “Kinjo Reitaku” and is safe to drink. It is one of Kanazawa’s premier water spots, offering a refreshing respite from the summer heat.
Why not combine a visit here with a stroll through Kenrokuen Garden, as suggested in the model itinerary “Best Views Around Kenrokuen” linked below?
◎ Kanazawa Bay Area: Around Ono and Kanaiwa
Ono and Kanaiwa, coastal towns that once flourished as ports for Kitamaebune ships, still retain scenery that evokes a sense of history throughout the area. They also offer a different charm from downtown Kanazawa, featuring delicious sushi restaurants, tours and hands-on programs at miso and soy sauce breweries, lovely lunch spots, and cafes selling unique goods. Hiyoshi Jinja Shrine in Ono and Ono Minato Jinja Shrine in Kanaiwa each host major summer festivals. Both festivals center around portable shrines (mikoshi) and are among the largest in Kanazawa, offering a chance to experience the vibrant energy of these port towns firsthand.
Ono Minato Jinja Shrine “Summer Grand Festival (Kanaiwa Summer Festival)”
Summer Event Information
Every year on the first weekend of June, Kanazawa hosts its largest event, the “Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival.” This event commemorates the entry of Lord MAEDA Toshiie, founder of the Kaga Domain, into Kanazawa Castle, and is when the city is at its liveliest. The main event, the “Hyakumangoku Procession” parade, kicks off with a departure ceremony at Kanazawa Station East Plaza, featuring a grand performance by the Kaga Tobi, the Hyakumangoku Ondo folk song, and a drum performance by a total of 280 drummers—making for a truly spectacular spectacle.
Another highlight unique to summer evenings is the “Evening of Firefly Viewing on Hakuchoro,” held at Kanazawa Castle Outer Moat Park’s Hakuchoro. Here, you can enjoy firefly viewing right in the heart of Kanazawa.
Let's enjoy the fireworks show
"The Hokkoku Fireworks Festival, held at the end of July, is an event that Kanazawa residents look forward to every year. The festival draws large crowds of spectators eager to enjoy the spectacular fireworks. The artistic displays, where pyrotechnicians showcase their skills, and the massive cascades of star mines are truly breathtaking. It’s also a wonderful tradition to wear a yukata to the festival.
Hokkoku Fireworks Festival in Kanazawa
■ Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
■ Location: Area around Saigawa Ryokuchi Park, Mameda Honmachi, Kanazawa City (Ishikawa Prefectural Mameda Temporary Grounds)
■ Details: 12,000 fireworks
■ Inquiries: 076-260-3581
Activities that let you enjoy nature
Once the rainy season ends and summer is in full swing, the number of days when temperatures in Kanazawa exceed 30°C begins to rise. Why not take this opportunity to enjoy some outdoor activities that let you connect with nature?
Kanazawa is close to both the sea and the mountains, and a short trip will take you to areas rich in natural beauty. You can fully immerse yourself in nature through casual hiking or cycling tours around Mount Hakusan, where majestic scenery unfolds.
We also recommend jogging and walking courses perfect for morning sightseeing, during the cooler hours of the day.
