Kanazawa, Noto Peninsula, and Other Cities

Discover secrets on the places in and around Kanazawa City,
where are located on the other side of Japan's east coast!
Jump in a Hokuriku-Shinkansen bullet train at JR Tokyo station, 
or fly from Haneda, Fukuoka, Taipei, or more airports, to get!



Back to the Edo period!

Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Matsuri is the biggest annual festival in the region. Many events are held over a period of three days in June. It first started in 1952 to praise the great work of the first lord, Toshiie Maeda, and was derived from an old municipal event. Now, it’s getting bigger and bigger, becoming well-known as a typical show of Kanazawa culture. You can see families applauding their kids or parents in antique-looking costumes, couples being served Matcha green tea at the Hyakumangoku tea ceremony at Kenrokuen, or local employees dancing in their summer Kimono. Every year, people are always looking forward to enjoying these three days!

By SHIZUO
Published: January 31, 2011

Day one (Friday night):

Kaga Yuzen Tohro-Nagashi


"Kaga Yuzen Tohro-Nagashi" Floating Lanterns [19:00-21:00]

1,500 Tohro lanterns with lovely Kaga-Yuzen patterns will definitely attract you! Follow the lights floating on the water along the Asano-Gawa River, or just wait at the bank to see one coming after another! It’s all up to you! This Friday night at the river draws a good crowd every year! Share an atmosphere of fantasy with the local people!


"Kodomo Chochin-Daiko Gyoretsu" Kids Marching with Red Lanterns [18:40-21:00]

10,000 local kids march through the streets with red Chochin lanterns and Taiko drums, celebrating the Hyakumangoku Matsuri. The event is open to students in the fourth to ninth grades, so those in the lower grades are definitely looking forward to joining the parade! Each group is composed of children who live in the same area. They start from the Chuoh-Koen central park and then parade to each block that they live in. Sometime they sing the municipal song. Don’t miss the adorable performance!

Day two (Saturday):

Hyakumangoku Gyoretsu




Hyakumangoku Gyoretsu


Kaga Hyakumangoku Bon-Shohgatsu

"Hyakumangoku Gyoretsu" Costume Parade
[14:00-18:00]

Do you want to see some Samurai in Japanese Kacchu armor? If so, this is the best event to go to! You will first see Taiko (Japanese drum) performances at the station for the starting ceremony. Then, the parade heads to Kanazawa Castle. It’s like a reenactment of the scene during the triumphal parade when the first lord Maeda entered the castle. This costume parade is the main event of the festival. In the procession, you’ll see Samurai warriors, Toshiie Maeda (the first lord), O-Matsu no Kata (Toshiie’s wife), little princess Tama-Hime (Tokugawa’s daughter), Kagatobi (old firefighters), Shinto priests, a Shishi-Mai lion dance, and much more! Do you want to join in? The committee accepts applications in March from those who would like to perform. Regardless, though everything is a sight to behold, women especially give a HUGE cheer to the handsome Japanese actor in the disguise of the first lord. (Oh, dear!)


"Hyakumangoku Chakai" The Biggest Tea Ceremony [8:30-16:00]

If you are interested in Japanese tea ceremony, you can’t miss the chance to watch many types of tea ceremonies being conducted by different schools, like Ura-Senke, Omote-Senke, Sowa-Ryu, Sencha-Doh, Shogetsu-Ryu, Enshu-Ryu, and Kohfu-Sencha-Reishiki. The lord Maeda was well-known for promoting the kingdom of Sado (the Way of Tea) in the Hokuriku region.
Ticket (2015): ¥1,500 per person / Advance ticket (2015) ¥2,000 for two people


"Kaga Hyakumangoku Bon-Shohgatsu" [10:00-18:00]

Traditional fun events held at Kanazawa-jo Kohen Castle Park


"Hyakumangoku Odori-Nagashi" Marching Dance in Summer Kimono
[18:30-20:00]

Private corporations or organizations send employees in summer Kimono as dancing teams. They’ll show you Japanese traditional dances on route 157, between Kami-Tsuzumi-Machi (near the Omicho Market) and Katamachi. There are also spaces for anyone to jump in and start dancing, so don’t hesitate if you’re feeling the rhythm!


"Hyakumangoku Takigi-Noh" Torchlight Performance of Noh [19:00-21:00]

Evening Noh performance by the Kaga Hosho school. It’s also known as the “Torchlight performance of Noh”, shown at Kanazawa Castle. In the case of rain, it’ll be performed at the Ishikawa Noh Theater
Admission: free

Day three (Sunday):

"Hyakumangoku Chakai" The Biggest Tea Ceremony [8:30-16:00]

Ticket (2015): ¥1,500 per person / Advance ticket (2015) ¥2,000 for two people


"Kaga Hyakumangoku Bon-Shohgatsu" [10:00-16:00]

Traditional fun events held at Kanazawa-jo Kohen Castle Park




Kanazawa City >>
Musashi Area


Western-style room
Hotel Resol Trinity Kanazawa [ホテルリソルトリニティ金沢]


This hotel is conveniently located in the heart of downtown. It’s just 2 minutes to the Omicho Ichiba market, 6 min to Kanazawajo castle, and also walkable (15 minutes) to JR Kanazawa station. Their cozy rooms and excellent hospitality will amaze you in the hustle and bustle. Do not forget to check their aroma relaxation salon on the 8th floor. It will help you after a long walk for sightseeing.


1-18, Musashimachi, Kanazawa
Phone: 076-221-9269 / Fax: 076-263-7711 / LinkIconE-mail
LinkIconhttp://www.resol-hotel.jp


Rates: [Single] ¥14,000~; [Twin/Double] ¥25000~ / Check in:14:00; Check out: 11:00 /Credit cards: Most accepted / Languages: Limited English spoken / Breakfast: ¥1300~ / Internet: free / LAN: High-speed cable and wireless / Facilities: Italian Restaurant IL-CHIANTI (1F); Aroma Relaxation Salon RAKUSIS (8F)

Kanazawa Area
Kenroku-En Garden
Seisonkaku Villa
Kanazawa-Jo Castle
Hishi-Yagura/<br>Gojikken-Nagaya/<br>Hashizume-Mon Tsuzuki-Yagura Museum
Chaya-Gai<br>Geisha Districts
Nagamachi Buke-Yashiki-Ato (Previous Samurai District)
21st Century Museum of<br> Contemporary Art, <br>Kanazawa
Nomura-Ke<br>Samurai House
Yuwaku Onsen-Kyo Spa Village
Kanazawa Yuwaku Edo-Mura Museum
Following Matsuo Bashô’s steps in Ishikawa - 1/6 [Introduction]
Following Matsuo Bashô’s steps in Ishikawa - 2/6 [Kanazawa]
Light-Up Bus


Noto Area
Rokkosaki Cape
Mitsukejima Island
Day Trip from Kanazawa #01-Wakura-Onsen Spa Town Nanao City
Day Trip from Kanazawa #01-Ipponsugi Dohri Street Nanao City
Noto-Jima Glass Art Museum
Wajima Asaichi Morning Market
Sohjiji Soin Temple


Kaga Area
Komatsu Experience
Shirayama Hime-Jinja Shrine
Daishoji District
Kaga-Hashidate District
Higashitani Mountainous Area
Following Matsuo Bashô’s steps in Ishikawa - 3/6 [Komatsu City]
Following Matsuo Bashô’s steps in Ishikawa - 4/6 [Natadera Temple]
Following Matsuo Bashô’s steps in Ishikawa - 5/6 [Yamanaka Onsen Town]
Following Matsuo Bashô’s steps in Ishikawa - 6/6 [Daishoji District]
Rosanjin in Yamashiro Onsen Town

Hakusanroku Gibier: Local cuisine utilized wild game from the mountain area
Noto no Shio: Salt extracted from the sea
Jizake: Local sake in Hokuriku region
Buri: Yellowtail
Kaga-ryori:<br>The Traditional Local Food
Kanou-gani & Kobako snow crabs
Kaga Yasai:<br>Traditional Vegetables
Tempura
Sushi
Komatsu Udon Noodle

Event
Enyukai: Geisha Party
Geisha Performance with Dinner
Sunday Zazen Session



Custom
Shintoism


Arts and Crafts
Yamanaka Shikki: <br>Lacquer Ware made in Yamanaka
Wajima Nuri<br>Lacquerware
Wagasa<br>(Traditional Umbrella)
Kaga Temari<br>(Traditional Handball)
Kaga-Yubinuki<br>(Traditional Thimble)
Kutani-Yaki<br>Porcelain
Aochibu Blue Dot(br)Kutani Artist - Kingyoku Nakata
Kaga Hachiman Okiagari<br> Paper Doll
Kaga Kebari<br>Feather Bait
Stroll Kanazawa in Rental Kimono - 1/2 [Renting kimono]
Stroll Kanazawa in Rental Kimono - 2/2 [Strolling in Kimono]

January
Dezomeshiki<br>Firefighters' Ceremony
Enyukai: Geisha Party


February
Setsubun-Sai Festival
Yukidaruma Matsuri<br>
Festival


April
Enyukai: Geisha Party
Sakura Viewing


May
Seihakusai Festival
Kutani Chawan Matsuri
(Outdoor Market)
Otabi Matsuri Festival
Okaeri Matsuri Festival


June
Hyakumangoku Matsuri<br>Festival


July
Enyukai: Geisha Party
Abarei Matsuri Festival
Yamashiro Daidengaku Dance Festival


August
Issaki Hoh-toh Matsuri Festival
Niwaka Matsuri Festival


November
Kanou-gani & Kobako snow crabs
Enyukai: Geisha Party


December
Enyukai: Geisha Party


All Year Round
Wajima Asaichi Morning Market
Sunday Zazen Session
Light-Up Bus

Shops
Stroll Kanazawa in Rental Kimono - 1/2 [Renting kimono]
Stroll Kanazawa in Rental Kimono - 2/2 [Strolling in Kimono]
Sunday Zazen-Session
Paragliding
Snowboarding
Pottery-Making


有料「体験施設紹介」
お申し込みフォーム

Kanazawa Smoking<br>Etiquette Guide
Special Interview<br>after the Tohoku Earthquake
Tourist Centers
About Ishikawa Prefecture
How to Get to Kanazawa
Access from Tokyo
Access from Osaka
Access from Nagoya
Access from Takayama
How to Get to the Noto Peninsula
About Us