Central Japan · Ishikawa · Kanazawa

Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival

金沢百万石まつり

Three days in early June when Kanazawa re-enacts the day in 1583 that Maeda Toshiie, founder of the Kaga domain, entered its castle: a costumed procession of warriors, lion dancers and firemen winds from the station to Kanazawa Castle.

4–6 June 2027

218 days away

Every year, the 1st Saturday of June, minus 1 day, for 3 days

Future dates: 4 June 2027 · 2 June 2028 · 1 June 2029

Origin

According to the organising committee, the festival honours Maeda Toshiie, first lord of the Kaga domain, who entered Kanazawa Castle on 14 June 1583 (the date follows the records of Oyama Shrine) and laid the foundations of the city. Its roots are the city celebrations held from 1923 to 1945 alongside the Hōkoku-sai, the rite at Oyama Shrine marking his arrival; for six years after the war they continued as the Oyama Matsuri. The present festival counts as its first the Commerce and Industry Festival organised by the city and the Kanazawa Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1952. Since 1984 the role of Toshiie at the head of the procession has been played by an actor. The name Hyakumangoku — “a million koku” — recalls the rice yield at which the Kaga domain was assessed.

What to look for

On the Saturday afternoon the Hyakumangoku Parade leaves the east plaza of Kanazawa Station and makes its way through the city centre to Kanazawa Castle Park. Marching bands lead off. Behind them come the Kaga lion dancers — a huge lion’s head and a cloth body, challenged and finally slain by a performer wielding a staff, halberd or sword — and the tobi, firemen in matching happi coats who perform stunts on top of tall ladders. Then the palanquin carrying Toshiie’s spirit from Oyama Shrine, the bridal procession of Princess Tama, the procession of Lady Matsu, Toshiie’s wife, the armoured retinues of the domain’s eight senior houses, and at last Toshiie himself, played by an actor. In the castle park the parade ends with the Nyūjō Shukusai: Toshiie rides in with his warriors and raises a victory cry. That evening dance teams fill the downtown streets for the Hyakumangoku Odori Nagashi, and noh is performed by torchlight in the castle park. On the Friday, priests draw water from the Kinjō Reitaku spring at Kanazawa Shrine for the festival’s tea ceremonies, and after dark lanterns made with Kaga Yūzen silk are floated down the Asano River.

How to watch

The committee forbids reserving a spot by taping sheets or tape to the road, stepping into the roadway or closed-off areas, and using drones or selfie sticks, and asks you not to step out into the path of the parade. Take your rubbish home.

If you go

The parade sets off from the east plaza of Kanazawa Station after a send-off ceremony at around 2 p.m. on the Saturday; its head reaches Kanazawa Castle Park at about 4 p.m. Watching from the roadside is free. Reserved paid seating is set up at Hyakken-bori, between Kenroku-en and the castle park, and goes on sale in April; prices change from year to year, and the seats can sell out. The parade goes ahead in light rain. While it is passing, the Ishikawa Gate of the castle park is closed; use the Ōte-mon, Gyokusen’in-maru or Nezumi-tamon entrances. You will be standing for a long time, and the committee advises bringing a hat, water and rain gear.

Where

Kanazawa Castle Park

Kanazawa, Ishikawa

Open in maps

Sources

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