Hyakumangoku Matsuri

The Hyakumangoku Matsuri (百万石まつり) is the main annual festival that takes place in Kanazawa, Japan. The festival commemorates the entry of Lord Maeda Toshiie into Kanazawa castle in 1583. The highlight of the Festival is the Hyakumangoku Parade which begins on the 2nd Saturday in June.

The Hyakumangoku Parade reenacts the entrance of Lord Maeda Toshiie and his entourage into Kanazawa. The participants are dressed in 16th Century period costumes and parade around several city blocks.

The name Hyakumangoku refers to rice production. Hyakuman is 1,000,000 and koku is a measurement of rice production. 1,000,000 koku is around 150,000 tonnes or 5,000,000 bushels of rice.

Toro-Nagashi commences the night before the main festival. Lit Kaga Yuzen laterns at floated down Asano river at dusk starting near the Tenjin-Bashi Bridge. The laterns then float under the Ume-no-Hashi Bridge before finishing at the Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge.

Other events during the festival include tea ceremonies staged in Kenroku-en, performances of traditional arts and folk dancing, a Miss Hyakumangoku beauty contest, and a children's drum and lantern parade.