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🔥🔥 Worth a detour
Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival
| When | Usually early June (~3 days) 🟢 Confirmed |
| Where | Kanazawa Station to Kanazawa Castle Park, Kanazawa, Japan |
| Cost | Free to watch |
| Booking | Not required to attend |
Summary
Kanazawa's biggest annual festival, held the first weekend of June, features a four-hour samurai-era parade reenacting Lord Maeda Toshiie's entry into Kanazawa Castle in 1583, plus traditional dance, tea ceremonies, and torchlit Noh theatre.
What to Know
Insider Tips
- The parade itself lasts about four hours, so plan to catch it at one fixed point rather than trying to follow it the whole way.
- Arrive early for a spot along Hyakumangoku-dori, the main parade route, since it draws roughly 400,000 spectators over the weekend.
- The evening torchlit Noh performance and tea ceremonies are separate ticketed events from the free daytime parade — check the schedule if you want more than just the procession.
Best Viewing Spots
- Hyakumangoku-dori (Kanazawa Station to Korinbo) — The main parade route where the samurai procession passes, with Lord Maeda Toshiie's entry portrayed by a well-known actor each year.
- Kanazawa Castle Park — The parade's finishing point, with additional performances and a lively atmosphere as the procession arrives.
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