Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival

In the feudal times of Edo-era Japan, Kanazawa (or Kaga as the feudal domain was called) was famed as the Hyakumangoku domain. Hyakuman means one million in Japanese, and koku (or goku when suffixed) was a measure for bushels of rice. This festival celebrates the rich culture and tradition that developed in Kanazawa as a major urban center of Edo-era Japan.

The festival is the biggest annual traditional festival in Kanazawa and takes place over three days with the scheduled of events (located throughout the city) as follows.

Day 1 (Friday):

6:40pm – 9pm: Children’s Lantern & Taiko Procession
A procession of colorful traditional lanterns and taiko (drums) along the main Route 157 road.
7pm – 9pm: Kaga-Yuzen Lantern Floating
Known as toro-nagashi in Japanese, this takes place on the Asano River in the Higashiyama district of Kanazawa.

Day 2 (Saturday):

8:30am – 4pm: Hyakumangoku Chakai
A grand tea ceremony at Kenrokuen.
10am – 6pm: Kaga Hyakumangoku Bon Shogatsu
Traditional summer activities connected with the bon festival at Kanazawa Castle Park.
2pm – 6pm: Hyakumangoku Costume Parade
Celebrating the founder of the Kaga clan, this is a parade in period costumes reenacting a triumphal procession. The parade begins at the east exit of Kanazawa Station and finishes at Kanazawa Park.
6pm – 8pm: Hyakumangoku Traditional Dance Parade
Takes place downtown, along Route 157, between Minami-cho and Katamachi.
7pm – 9pm: Takigi-Noh
A performance of traditional noh theatre illuminated by torchlight in the grounds of Kanazawa Castle Park. Entry is free.

Day 3: (Sunday

8:30am – 4pm: Hyakumangoku Chakai
A grand tea ceremony at Kenrokuen.
10am – 6pm: Kaga Hyakumangoku Bon Shogatsu
Traditional summer activities connected with the bon festival at Kanazawa Castle Park.

(Greg Lane)