Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival

The Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival is a grand annual event held in honour of Lord Maeda Toshiie, the founding daimyō of the Kaga Domain. On June 14, 1583, Maeda entered Kanazawa Castle, establishing the foundations of what would become the city of Kanazawa. The festival commemorates this historic moment, with the date derived from records preserved at Oyama Shrine.

The origins of the festival can be traced back to 1923 , when celebratory events were first held in conjunction with the Hōkokumatsuri (celebrating the domain’s history) ritual at Oyama Shrine. These celebrations continued until 1945 under the name Kanazawa City Festival. Following World War II, under the guidance of the Allied Occupation authorities, the festival was revived in 1946 as the Oyama Festival, organised by the Oyama Shrine Supporters’ Association. This version of the event continued for six years.

The present-day Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival took shape in 1952 when the City of Kanazawa and the Kanazawa Chamber of Commerce and Industry launched it as a commercial and industrial festival. Over time, it evolved into one of the region’s most prominent cultural events, known for its vibrant atmosphere and rich historical themes.

A central feature of the festival is the Hyakumangoku Parade, a lavish and colourful procession that reenacts Lord Maeda’s entry into Kanazawa Castle. This parade, along with many other traditional events rooted in Kanazawa’s cultural heritage, highlights the city’s more than 400 years of history. Since 1984, the role of Lord Maeda in the parade has been played by professional actors, further enhancing the festival’s appeal and helping it gain national recognition.