Kanazawa is a small city on the west coast of Japan with a long history and enterprising people. Here we introduce Kanazawa’s annual events and festivals from a local’s point of view.
Spring
Cherry blossom viewing
In Kanazawa Cherry blossoms usually start blooming from the end of March to the beginning of April, and are in full bloom in the first week of April. Cherry blossom viewing can be enjoyed until around April 10. However, it varies from year to year.
The best places for cherry blossom viewing are Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park, and the riverside promenade along the Asanogawa and Saigawa Rivers. All are within walking distance. Why don’t you walk around Kanazawa while touring the flowers?
Free admission to Kenrokuen Garden
During the cherry blossom season, Kenrokuen Garden is open to the public free of charge. Visitors can enjoy the cherry blossoms day and night.
Gargan Music Festival
A classical music festival held from the end of April to the beginning of May. Top artists from around the world and citizens take the stage to share the joy of music. Performances take place not only in concert halls but also on street corners, and the city of Kanazawa is enveloped in classical music.
Gargan Music Festtival Official website
Summer
Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival
Summer in Kanazawa starts with the Hyakumangoku Festival held from the first Friday to Sunday in June. The festival celebrates the foundation of the castle town of Kanazawa by Lord Toshiie Maeda, and includes a samurai parade, tea ceremonies, and other events.
Firefly viewing
Fireflies that live in the places with clean water can be seen even in Kenrokuen garden and around Kanazawa Castle Park located in central Kanazawa. Around July, the street lights along the promenade near Kanazawa Castle Park are dimmed to encourage fireflies to breed. Visitors can admire their graceful glow while taking care not to disturb them.
Ice House Opening
An icehouse is a hut with a hole in it where snowfall in winter was stored and used like a refrigerator. During the Edo period, ice from the icehouse was taken out in midsummer and presented to the shogun of Edo (present-day Tokyo). Following this tradition, on June 30, sutra chanting is performed in front of the icehouse, and then men in traditional costumes take the ice out of the hole. The ice is presented to two towns in Tokyo that have close ties with Kanazawa since the Edo period, the mayor of Kanazawa, and others.
Autumn
Fun events in the town
In autumn, there are many fun events such as street concerts, craft fairs, and food festivals, mainly on weekends. Most of the events are held near major sightseeing spots, so if you see people gathering and having fun, why not take a peek?
Autumn Foliage
Street trees such as sugar maples begin to change color first in the middle of October. Ginkgo and Japanese maples begin to change color in early November, and are at their best from mid to late November. The fiery red of the maple trees on Yamazaki-yama hill in Kenrokuen Garden is particularly spectacular. Kenrokuen Garden is illuminated in November, and visitors can enjoy the brocade-like autumn leaves at night.
Preparing for winter
In November, the work of Yukitsuri (snow hanging) begins. The snow, which contains a lot of moisture unique to this region, is so heavy that tree branches would break if left untouched. The 180-year-old pine tree in Kenrokuen Garden hung from its branches by five poles and 800 ropes. It is creating a spectacular sight.
Winter
Kanazawa City Fire Fighting Ceremony
This is an annual new year’s event in Kanazawa where the city’s volunteer firefighters parades and show their drills. The highlight of the event is a heroic acrobatic performance of ladder climbing (Hashigo nobori), which originated in the Edo period when firefighters in the city operated on rooftops in case of fire.
Preparation of ice house
In the days when there was still no electricity, ice was very precious. At that time, snowfall in winter was stored in holes and used to preserve food in summer. In Kanazawa’s Yuwaku Onsen, following this tradition, a ceremony of the first preparation of an ice cave is held at the end of January every year.
Lighting up Kenrokuen Garden in winter
In Kenrokuen garden, the trees decorated with Yukitsuri (snow hanging branches) are lit up fantastically. If you are lucky, you will the garden covered with snow.
