SeasonMapWhat's on in Kanazawa, Japan through the year
Kanazawa, Japan has 5 curated events through the year — 1 festival, 1 natural spectacle, 1 holiday and 2 seasons. The ones to plan around: Hyakumangoku Matsuri (June) and Cherry blossom (April). April to May are its peak-crowd months.
Updated September 2026 · every event curated and sourced · dates for 2026 where they are announced, the usual window where they are not
Kanazawa events and crowds by month
January in Kanazawa
Kanazawa weather in January →Busy — Winter break (fuyuyasumi) in Japan, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in January.
Still on: Yukitsuri, the snow ropes (1 Nov – 15 Mar), Snow crab season (6 Nov – 20 Mar)
February in Kanazawa
Kanazawa weather in February →Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in February.
Still on: Yukitsuri, the snow ropes (1 Nov – 15 Mar), Snow crab season (6 Nov – 20 Mar)
March in Kanazawa
Kanazawa weather in March →Busy — Spring break (haruyasumi) in Japan
Nothing new starts in March.
Still on: Yukitsuri, the snow ropes (1 Nov – 15 Mar), Snow crab season (6 Nov – 20 Mar)
April in Kanazawa
Kanazawa weather in April →Peak crowds — Cherry blossom, Golden Week
- Nature
Cherry blossom
1–15 Apr · usuallyCrowdedKenrokuen opens its gates free for the blossom week and stays lit at night, which is the only time the garden is worth the crowd it draws.
- Holiday
Golden Week
29 Apr – 5 MayCrowdedThe shinkansen from Tokyo made Kanazawa a Golden Week destination. Omicho market and the Higashi Chaya lanes are shoulder to shoulder; the museums need timed tickets. Source ↗
May in Kanazawa
Kanazawa weather in May →Peak crowds — Golden Week, Golden Week in Japan
Nothing new starts in May.
Still on: Golden Week (29 Apr – 5 May)
June in Kanazawa
Kanazawa weather in June →Busy — Hyakumangoku Matsuri, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it
- Festival
Hyakumangoku Matsuri
1–8 Jun · usuallyMajor festivalCrowdedThe lord's entry into the castle re-enacted through the streets on the first weekend of June, with lantern boats floated down the Asano river the night before. Source ↗
July in Kanazawa
Kanazawa weather in July →Busy — Summer break (natsuyasumi) in Japan, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in July.
August in Kanazawa
Kanazawa weather in August →Busy — Summer break (natsuyasumi) in Japan, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in August.
September in Kanazawa
Kanazawa weather in September →Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in September.
October in Kanazawa
Kanazawa weather in October →Busy — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather
Nothing new starts in October.
November in Kanazawa
Kanazawa weather in November →Shoulder season — an ordinary month
- Season
Yukitsuri, the snow ropes
1 Nov – 15 MarThe ropes that hold Kenrokuen's pines up under wet snow go on from 1 November and come off in the middle of March. Half the photographs of this city are of them.
- Season
Snow crab season
6 Nov – 20 MarForaging seasonThe boats go out on 6 November and land males until 20 March. The small female kobako crab is only sold until the end of December, which is when Omicho market is at its best and dearest.
December in Kanazawa
Kanazawa weather in December →Busy — Winter break (fuyuyasumi) in Japan, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in December.
Still on: Yukitsuri, the snow ropes (1 Nov – 15 Mar), Snow crab season (6 Nov – 20 Mar)