"Hinamatsuri" - Doll Festival or Girls Festival
雛祭り(ひなまつり)
(March 3rd)
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This is a traditional event dating back to the Heian Period, about 1,000 years ago. The costumes of the hina dolls are based on the cloths of the nobles of that time period. "Hinamatsuri" is the day for families to celebrate their girls and wish them health and happiness.
Hina Dolls Exhibition
Place: Seison-kaku
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"Hanami" - Cherry blossom viewing
お花見(おはなみ)
(Early April)
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People go out to view and appreciate the blossoms and often enjoy outdoor parties under the cherry blossoms in early April. They sit on mats under the cherry trees, eating, drinking, singing cheerfully and viewing the blossoms.
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"Tango no sekku" - Children's Day
端午の節句(たんごのせっく)
(May 5th)
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It's called Children's Day nowadays but traditionally it's known as "Tango no sekku". Families with boy/boys celebrate this day by flying Koinobori (carp streamers) and displaying decorations featuring samurai helmets and armor.
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Free admission for Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park during illuminated cherry blossom period.
兼六園無料開園＆金沢城・兼六園観桜期ライトアップ
(April 14th(Sat)-April 22nd(Sun),2012)
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Kenrokuen Garden is open for public free of charge for about one week during the blooming period. The cherry blossom is illuminated after sunset. Therefore, people can go for cherry blossom viewing at night as well.
"Hanami" - Cherry blossom viewing spots in Kanazawa
(Beginning of April for one week)
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The Ishikawamon Gate of Kanazawa Castle, the riverbanks near the Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge, and Mt. Utatsu are also known as major cherry blossom viewing spots. People can stroll around the areas and enjoy the cherry blossom in harmony with the scene of historical buildings.
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La Folle Journée au Japon "A Day of Enthusiasm" - Music Festival (LFJ)
ラ・フォル・ジュルネ金沢「熱狂の日」音楽祭
(April 28th(Sat)-May 5th(Sat),2012)
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La Folle Journée or "Days of Enthusiasm" landed Kanazawa in 2008 and made a big success with the leadership of famous composer Michiyoshi Inoue. The event has created successive surprises, shaking the common sense of Japan's classical music scene.
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"Machi Haku" Kanazawa City Life Expo in Spring
かなざわ・まち博2010「春のまち博」(4月桜の開花時期にあわせて開催)
(April 1st~)
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"Machi Haku" means City Life Expo held in several spots in the center of Kanazawa. It is an exhibition for culture or customs in real life of Kanazawa. Citizens of Kanazawa City will be the leading character of the Expo and reconcider the things that they used to take it for granted. This is a kind of movement for town development.
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"Hyakumangoku Hyakkou" Exhibition - The story of Kanazawa confectionery (Kanazawa Castle Park)
金沢城菓子物語百万石菓子百工展(金沢城公園)
(May 3rd(Thu)-5th(Sat),2012)
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Ishikawa is traditionary famous for its confectionery as well as art crafts. The exhibition will appeal the history and the culture of Ishikawa.
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Hospitarity at the Castle and the Garden-Cerabration to cerabtrate "Tango no sekku"
城と庭のおもてなし 端午の節句を祝う
(May 3rd,2012)
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This is a part of "Hyakumangoku Hyakkou" Exhibition - The story of Kanazawa confectionery (Kanazawa Castle Park)
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"Koinagashi" in Asano River around "Umenohashi" Bridge
浅野川・鯉流し
(May 3rd,2012)
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The meaning of the "Koinagashi" is that parents float carp-shaped wind socks on a river and hope their children will grow up to be healthy.
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"Tanabata" - the Star Festival
七夕(たなばた)
(July 7th)
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This event is based on a Chinese legend, in which Kengyuu (the star Alter) meets Orihime (the star Vega) only once a year on this day over the Milky Way. People celebrate this day by putting up big branches of bamboo with colorful decorations at home.
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"Bon Festival" - Buddhist festival
お盆(おぼん)
(August 13th-15th)
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It takes place throughout Japan around August 15 (July 15 in the lunar calendar). At this time, people visit their ancestors' graves, welcome the ancestors' spirits home with food and offerings and then see the spirits off. Bon-odori (Obon dancing) and other Obon-related activities are also conducted to console and entertain the ancestors' spirits.
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Hyakumangoku Festival - the Samurai parade along the main streets around the castle
金沢百万石まつり
(June 1st(Fri)-3rd(Sun),2012) (The parade 2nd 14:00∼)
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The main event of the Hyakumangoku Matsuri is the Hyakumangoku Parade, a great-flamboyant procession of people in historical costumes performed on the first Saturday of June. The people leave the east gate of Kanazawa Station, parade the main street for 3.1 kilometers, and enter Kanazawa Castle. A prominent actor plays the role of Toshiie every year, followed by more than 2,000 residents including those in princesses and warriors' costumes and teams of traditional performing arts of Kanazawa, such as the Kaga Tobi group reenacting traditional firefighters working under the Kaga lords in Edo. A magnificent departing ceremony is held in front of the huge glass dome and the wooden gate of the east exit of Kanazawa Station, and an entry ceremony is held for the entry of the parade into Kanazawa Castle.
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Free admission for Kenrokuen Garden during Hyakumangoku Festival
兼六園無料開園【百万石まつり】・金沢城・兼六園ライトアップ−初夏の段
(June 4th(Sat)-5th(Sun),2011)
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Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park are illuminated during Hyakumangoku Festival for 3 days.
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Kaga Yuzen (silk textiles) and Toro Nagashi (the floating of lanterns) - Asanogawa River
加賀友禅燈ろう流し(百万石まつり・浅野川)
(June 1st(Fri),2012)
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Kaga Yuzen Toro Nagashi, the floating of lanterns lit with candles and decorated with Kaga Yuzen silk textiles, commences night before the main festival of Hyakumangoku Matsuri down the Asanogawa River across the Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge.
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Kanazawa Castle Festival Ground - admission free
金沢城おまつり広場
(next day of the Samurai Parade)
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A variety of performance and music concert are played on the stage of Kanazawa Castle. Foods and drinks stands are provided.
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Hyakumangoku "Takigi Noh" - Kanazawa Castle Park
百万石薪能(百万石まつり・金沢城公園)
(June 2nd(Sat),2012 (18:30-21:00))
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Traditional Takigi Noh (traditional masked dance-drama) are performed outdoors with lights supplied by bonfires in Kanazawa Castle Park
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Hyakumangoku Odorinagashi
百万石踊り流し
(June 4th(Sat),2011 (18:30∼))
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About 10,000 people dance on the downtown streets in Korinbo district.
Adventitious player large welcome! You, a spectator, all also need to participate in a dance.
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The Hokkoku Fireworks Kanazawa Festival in Ohmameda Sai River ground, Kanazawa
北國花火大会(金沢大会・大豆田犀川緑地)
(July 30th(Sat),2011)
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The Hokkoku Fireworks Kawakita Festival in Tedori River ground, Kanazawa
北國花火大会(川北大会・手取川簡易グラウンド)
(August 6th(Sat),2011)
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The Hokuriku Chunichi Fireworks Festival in Ohmameda Sai River ground, Kanazawa
北陸中日花火大会(金沢大会・大豆田犀川緑地)
(August 6th,2011 (19:45-21:00))
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Kanazawa Dream Street
金沢ゆめ街道2011
(August 13th(Sat)-14th(Sun),2011)
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Main street of Kanazawa between Musashi and Katamachi for about 1.5 km will be free of vehicle and performed various activities such as dinamic group dancing. Those dancing teams are selected from all over Japan.
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Kanazawa Opera Festival (Kanazawa Castle Park and some other places)
金沢城オペラ祭(金沢城公園を中心に市内各所)
Admission charge
(August 12th(Fri),2011)
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Popular Japanese music concert. Famous artists participate the concert jointly.
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YOSAKOI Soran Nihonkai Hyakumangoku site - (Kanazawa Castle Park)
YOSAKOIソーラン日本海百万石会場
(August 13th(Sat)-14th(Sun),2011)
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Folk dance groups from all over Japan perform on the site and the best group will be selected.
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"Shiman-rokusen nichi (46,000 days)"
四万六千日の縁日
9th July (in the lunar calendar)
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It is a special day of the year for Kannonin Temple in Higasiyama. It is said that going to the temple on this day is 46,000 times as rewarding as other ordinary days.
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Free admission for Kenrokuen Garden during "Obon" vacation period.
兼六園無料開園(夏休み)
(August 14th(Sun)-16th(Tue),2011)
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Evening Noh Performances
観能の夕べ 7月〜8月毎週土曜夜 県立能楽堂
(July 2nd(Sat)-August 27th(Sat),2011 (9 times in total))
Theater opens at 5:30pm. First come first served for the better seats.
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Full-fledged traditional art performances of Kanazawa, "Kaga-Hosho style of Noh" are presented in public with very reasonable admission fees every summer.
Place: Ishikawa Prefectural Noh Theatre
(076)-264-2598
4-18-3 Ishibiki, Kanazawa City (By the Kenrokuen Garden)
Admission: 1,000 yen per performance
Tickets on the day are sold at the theater. English program is available.
Free of charge for high school and younger students
*3,000 yen for the special performance
Contact: Ishikawa Prefectural Noh Theatre Tel: (076)-264-2598
*Tickets on sale:
Ishikawa Prefectural Noh Theatre
(076)-264-2598
Ishikawa prefectural Ongakudo, Ticket Box
(076)-232-8632
Kohrinbo Daiwa Play Guide
(076)-220-1332
Kanazawa Craft Hirosaka
(076)-265-3320
*Performance time is about 2 hours in each.
* You might not be allowed to enter the theater in the case of full occupancy.
Ishikawa Prefectural Noh Theatre ＨＰ
URL : http://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/nougakudo/nougakudoutop.htm
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Tsukimi (night of the full moon, the days for "moon-gazing")
月見(つきみ)
(August 15th and September 13th of the lunar calendar)
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Decorations of Japanese pampas grass are used, and moon-offerings of sake and dango (a kind of dumpling) are made as the people gaze at the moon, enjoying the autumn evening.
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"Shichi-Go-San" (Seven-five-three festival)
七五三(しちごさん)
(November 15th)
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It's the day for the girls at the age of 3 and 7 and the boys at the age of 5 to celebrate their healthy growth with their family members. The children usually wear traditional clothes and the family visit a shrine or temple to pray for health and happiness and celebrate their age.
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"Momiji Gari" (viewing autumnal leaves)
紅葉狩り
(Late in October)
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In Japan we have the custom of holding "Momiji gari" in autumn, the same way that we go to see the cherry blossoms in the spring. The red coloring of tree leaves start in Kanazawa late in October.
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Hospitarity at the Castle and the Garden - Appreciation the full moon in autumn
秋の城と庭のおもてなし【中秋の名月観賞会】
(September 11th(Sun)-12th(Mon),2011)
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Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle are open for public for "moon-gazing" until 9pm.
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Oshale Messe KANAZAWAGONOMI
おしゃれメッセ かなざわごのみ2011(10月7日(金)〜10月17日(月))
(October 7th(Fri)-17th(Mon),2011)
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"KANAZAWAGONOMI" is the unique nickname based on the marketing concept "from Kanazawa to the World". It takes advantage of cutting-edge Japanese sensibilities and creates new values and flourishes in many different occasions and fashion in our lives.
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Free admission for Kenrokuen Garden on Culture day
兼六園無料開園(文化の日)
(November 3rd)
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Kanazawa Castle Park is illuminated in autumn.
金沢城ライトアップ〜秋の段〜
(September 16th(Fri)-18th(Sun),2011,
November 18th(Fri)-20th(Sun),2011, November 26th(Sat)-27th(Sun),2011)
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Ishikawa-mon Gate and Sanjukken-nagaya Arsenal (National Important Cultural Assets) of Kanazawa Castle are open for public.
国指定重要文化財 金沢城「石川門・三十間長屋」特別公開
(From April, 2011 to March, 2012
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays are opened.)
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* No published December to January.
* February 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th public
Public time 9:30-15:30
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"KOMO-Kake" - putting straw mats on the walls of Samurai residences
長町武家屋敷 菰(こも)かけ
(December 1st)
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Straw mats are put on the mud walls of the remains of the Naga-machi Samurai residences for several days from December 1 every year. The straw matting of the mud walls protects the walls from frost, and prevents the walls from separation when the snow on the walls melts. The mats called "komo" are made of straws finely knitted.
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"Yuki-Tsuri" - literary means "snow hanging"
雪吊り
(From 1st November through mid December)
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"Yukitsuri" is a technique for preserving trees and shrubs from heavy snow. Trees are given extra support by bamboo poles with ropes attached to limbs; whereas, shrubs are often tied tightly around the circumference. "Yukitsuri" is a common sight in Kanazawa and Kenrokuen Garden during the winter months.
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New Year's Eve ＆ New Year
大晦日(おおみそか) ＆ お正月(おしょうがつ)
(January 1st)
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In Japan, New Year is supposed to be the biggest and most important of all the annual events. People go to shrines to pray for their happiness and for good health for the coming year. Family members and relatives get together and eat New Year's special food called "Osechi" to celebrate the New Year.
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"Setsubun" - the day before the beginning of spring
節分(せつぶん)
(February 3rd)
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On February 3rd (or 4th), a traditional event called "Setsubun" is practiced in Japan. "Setsubun" means the day before the beginning of spring according to the lunisolar calendar. On this day Japanese participate in traditional ceremonuy called "Mamemaki" to drive away evil spirits and bring in good fortune.
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Free admission for Kenrokuen Garden for New Year's days.
兼六園無料開園(年末年始)
(December 31st(Sat),2011-January 3rd(Tue),2012)
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Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park will have a winter illumination.
金沢城・兼六園ライトアップ【冬の段】
(February 3rd(Fri)-5th(Sun),10th(Fri)-12th(Sun),2012)
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"Dezome-shiki" - New Year firefighters' event
加賀鳶出初式(金沢市消防出初式・金沢城公園)
(January 8th(Sun),2012)
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Kanazawa firefighters have been famous nationwide for their acrobatic performance.
Time: 8th January 2012, 10am-11am
Place: Kanazawa Castle Park
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Food-Pia-Land Kanazawa, an outdoor Winter food festival
フードピア金沢(県内各地、フードピアランドは中央公園)
(February 10th-12th,2012)
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Various foods stalls are set up. Enjoy char-grilled fresh sea foods, famous Ramen noodles from nationwide, and Japanese, Western, Chinese and Ethnic foods etc.
Time: 10th-12th February 2012
Place: Central Park (Chuo Koen) in Kanazawa
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Winter Scenery Viewing Feast
フードピア金沢(兼六園雪見宴会)
(February 11th,18th,25th,2012)
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Date: 11th(Sat),18th(Sat),25th(Sat) February 18:30-20:30
Place:
February 11 (soil celebration) - West restaurant association(Nishi Chaya District)
Saturday,February 18 - Kazuemachi restaurant association(Kazuemachi Chaya District)
Saturday,February 25 - East restaurant association(Higashi Chaya District)
Food: Lunch,drink(sake,beer,soft drink)
Cost: 7,000 yen
Contact: Foodopia Kanazawa Organising Committee/Office
TEL (0762) 32-1000, FAX (0762) 24-5000
This is one of the most popular event of Foodpia Kanazawa. Enjoy culinary delights of Ishikawa Prefecture with the hospitality of Geisha Girls.
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"Setsubun" at Utasu Shrine
宇多須神社の節分
(February 3rd)
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On February 3rd (or 4th), a traditional event called "Setsubun" is practiced in Japan. "Setsubun" means the day before the beginning of spring according to the lunisolar calendar. On this day Japanese participate in traditional ceremonuy called "Mamemaki" to drive away evil spirits and bring in good fortune. Such "Setsubun" event is very famous at Utasu Shrine in Kanazawa.
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