Latest Events in Ishikawa Prefecture(September Updated)

The 14th Yunawa Bon Festival will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026. This festival recreates the world of the anime "Hanasaku". The venue can be reached by taking the Hokuriku Railway bus from Kanazawa Station (about 40 minutes), and then walking for 3 minutes from the "Tamamizu Onsen" bus stop.

Oktoberfest, the world's largest beer festival, is held annually in Munich, Germany, in the autumn. Kanazawa also hosts this joyous festival. You can enjoy the authentic Munich atmosphere, German beer, and German folk music performances. Come to Kanazawa Oktoberfest and enjoy German beer, music, and dance. This year, the event returns, adding vibrancy to downtown Kanazawa and becoming a summer tradition!

The Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden Autumn Illumination is a seasonal nighttime sightseeing event in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. During this special illumination period, Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park are decorated with lights, showcasing the enchanting autumn foliage, illuminated garden paths, ponds, and ancient pine trees. The "yuki-dara" (traditional rope structures supporting trees) reflected in the ponds create a unique visual effect and become a highlight of the autumn illumination.

What does that title signify— Is it "Substitute" or "The Chosen One"? The answer remains unclear. Yet, in this long-run tour starting in Japan, I can distinctly feel something different from before—an unwavering presence that belongs to ayu.

Outdoor enthusiasts heading to Ishikawa this fall can look forward to the return of the "Hakusan Outdoor Festival." This two-day extravaganza brings together music, food, nature, and outdoor activities at the foot of Mount Hakusan. Following its inaugural event in 2025, which attracted approximately 7,000 visitors, the festival returns to Ikebayashi Park and the Hirayaksan Campground in Hakusan City on September 12th and 13th. Admission to the main festival is free, offering a convenient option for visitors wishing to experience the local natural beauty. Music is a major highlight this weekend, with artists such as Schadaraparr, Bird, and Anna Takeuchi performing on the festival's "Relaxed Music Stage." Visitors can also browse outdoor brands, tour RVs, and participate in various interactive activities. A mobile zoo featuring animals such as rabbits, goats, and owls will be set up at HITOYAMA, while families can enjoy the children's playground and small dog track.

In early autumn, as a refreshing breeze blows through the Juequan Creek Valley, the grandest event of the mountain hot springs, the "Koi Festival," takes place, lasting for two days. The usually tranquil hot spring town comes alive at this time. As the birthplace of the folk song "Mountain Samurai," the town's residents, geishas, ​​and hot spring bathers gather together for a grand song and dance performance. During the day, there is also a procession of the Joyful Maiden's Portable Shrine (a portable shrine for women), accompanied by enthusiastic shouts, as well as portable shrines for young men and a giant lion dance, filling the early autumn mountains with a festive atmosphere.

The Kanazawa Dance Festival is a grand event held every autumn in the Kanazawa Sanchaya district (Kita, Nishi, and Kazue-cho), a gathering place for geisha. Don't miss the elegant "Kanazawa Soko," the classic "Zashiki Taiko," and all the dance performances that embody the "Kanazawa Fuga" style.