Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival

A collective term for the cultural heritage of the Kaga domain that flourished in the Edo period, centered in Kanazawa, Ishikawa. It encompasses integrated traditions of tea ceremony, Noh theater, and crafts such as Kutani ware and Kaga yuzen dyeing. Protected and promoted by the Maeda clan, a refined and elegant Kaga aesthetic was cultivated and spread among the common people. This tradition continues to influence contemporary Kanazawa crafts and festivals.

A traditional regional festival held annually in June in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, commemorating the entry of feudal lord Maeda Toshiie into the city. Characterized by elaborate historical processions featuring lion dances, drum and fife corps, and armor-clad samurai, the festival recreates Edo-period pageantry. It serves as a significant cultural event expressing Kanazawa's historic prosperity and civic pride.

A Noh theater tradition preserved in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. Promoted by the Kaga Domain's Hosho school, it remains a cultural legacy of the Kaga million-koku period. Characterized by elegant movements and refined musical composition, community Noh societies and regular performances ensure the continuation of this classical performing art.

A splendid festival held in June in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. It originated to celebrate the entry of Maeda Toshiie, the first feudal lord of the Kaga domain, into Kanazawa. Processions featuring gold-leaf adorned helmets and luxurious brocade costumes parade through the castle town, representing one of Hokuriku's most prestigious festivals.

A premier summer festival of the Tohoku region held every August in Aomori City. Enormous illuminated warrior-themed floats called nebuta parade through the streets while dancers known as haneto leap to the chant of 'Rassera.' It is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.

Japan's largest Bon dance festival with over 400 years of history in Tokushima Prefecture. Known for the chant 'It's a fool who dances and a fool who watches—if both are fools, you might as well dance,' it is held annually during the Obon period in August. Groups called 'ren' dance through the streets to distinctive rhythms.

A Japanese summer event based on the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi, observed on July 7th (or August in some regions). The custom of hanging paper strips inscribed with wishes on bamboo branches is widely practiced. The Sendai Tanabata Festival is one of Japan's largest, attracting over two million visitors annually.