Kanazawa Yume Kaido 2026 Guide: Street Performances, Local Food & Area-by-Area Events
Kanazawa Yume Kaido is a major summer event held annually in August in downtown Kanazawa City. Kanazawa's main street becomes a pedestrian paradise, featuring diverse street performances and stage events including traditional Japanese folk songs and marching bands.
This event is beloved by local people as well as domestic and international tourists as a representative summer tradition of Kanazawa. It's a rare opportunity to experience Japanese festival culture and modern, vibrant performances all at once.
This time, I'll introduce detailed information from the overview of Kanazawa Yume Kaido to its highlights and surrounding Kanazawa gourmet information.
Table of Contents
-What is Kanazawa Yume Kaido? Introduction to the events held
-Check out the highlights of Kanazawa Yume Kaido 2026 while reviewing the 2025 event!
-Stage events are also a must-see! Two performances held in 2025
-After Kanazawa Yume Kaido, Savor Exquisite Kanazawa Food!
Kanazawa Yume Kaido is a highly anticipated annual major event for locals
Kanazawa Yume Kaido is an annual major event that Kanazawa citizens eagerly await every year. During the event period, National Route 157, which runs through the center of Kanazawa including Musashigatsuji, Korinbo, and Katamachi, becomes a pedestrian paradise for approximately 1.5km, and the entire town is enveloped in the fervor of the festival.
This event is held over two days every August. In addition to lively street performances and stage performances, you can enjoy unique booths such as Self-Defense Force and fire vehicle exhibitions, and beer stations where you can taste Japanese beer and snacks.
Since the Kanazawa Yume Kaido venue is located in the center of Kanazawa, please feel free to experience the atmosphere of a Japanese festival during your Kanazawa sightseeing.
Event Overview of Kanazawa Yume Kaido
Schedule: Two days every August (In 2025, held on August 9 and 10)
Access: Immediate walk from "Musashigatsuji･Omi-cho Market" bus stop
Admission: Free (Some stage events require payment)
Website: https://www.kanazawa-kankoukyoukai.or.jp/event/detail_50394.html
What is Kanazawa Yume Kaido? Introduction to the events held
"Opening Parade" that differs each year
Source:Kanazawa Tourism Official
Kanazawa Yume Kaido begins magnificently with an opening parade featuring different themes and performers each year.
Brass bands from elementary and junior high schools in Ishikawa Prefecture, prestigious Japanese marching band high schools, and local dance groups appear one after another, enlivening the venue atmosphere. I love how the already bustling Kanazawa center becomes even more lively with the performances of performers in gorgeous costumes.
In 2025, to pray for the recovery of the Noto region affected by the January 2024 earthquake, marches by the Ishikawa Prefecture police band and the Ground Self-Defense Force were showcased, with elaborate parades held every year. Please enjoy the warm parades rooted in the community that highlight different characteristics each year.
Various "Street Performances" held multiple times during the event period
Source:Kanazawa Tourism Official
The highlight of Kanazawa Yume Kaido is without a doubt the diverse street performances showcased in the center of Kanazawa. On the main street that has become a pedestrian paradise, in addition to the opening parade, performances full of individuality such as Japanese taiko drums and cheer dancing are unfolded.
Among them, what impressed me most in 2025 was the "YOSAKOI Soran" by a team wearing traditional Japanese costumes. "YOSAKOI Soran" is a creative dance originating from Japanese festivals, and you can experience the atmosphere of traditional Japanese festivals through the costumes, music, and calls.
In addition, please enjoy street performances with different charms such as "Owara Kazenobon," which dances elegantly to folk songs, and street dance.
Special exhibitions and events held at each spot
Source:Kanazawa Tourism Official
At Kanazawa Yume Kaido, distinctive exhibitions and events are held simultaneously in four areas along the main street. Each area of Katamachi, Kamitsutsumichō, Korinbo, and Minamichō is developed with different themes, so I love that you can enjoy according to your preferences.
At the 2025 event, vehicle exhibitions where you can see Ground Self-Defense Force, fire, and police special vehicles up close, and sports experience events by local soccer clubs were popular with families with children.
Also, in the Korinbo area, powerful taiko drum performances were held, and beer stations where you can taste Asahi beer were set up in each area, allowing adults to leisurely enjoy the festival atmosphere.
At Kanazawa Yume Kaido, please enjoy the festival mood in each of your own styles, adults and children together.
Check out the highlights of Kanazawa Yume Kaido 2026 while reviewing the 2025 event!
The powerful parade that attracts many locals
Source:Kitaguni Shimbun
The highlight of 2025 was the spectacular parade that colored Kanazawa's main street. Starting with the opening parade that began just after 15:00 on the first day, various performances were showcased until around 20:00. The city was enveloped in a festive atmosphere and bustled with many local visitors enjoying the spectacle.
The parade featured various performances including YOSAKOI Soran, marching band performances, and dances by local schools and cultural groups. Particularly from dusk into the night, the brilliant performances illuminated by street lights created a magical atmosphere that you can enjoy.
Vehicle exhibition of Ground Self-Defense Force, fire department, police, etc. (Katamachi area)
Source:Kanazawa Tourism Official
In the Katamachi area during 2025, special vehicles from the Ground Self-Defense Force and fire department that are usually difficult to see up close were displayed. Under the theme "Vehicles that protect lives," Ground Self-Defense Force tanks, reconnaissance motorcycles, fire department ambulances and pump trucks gathered, bustling with many families with children.
At the vehicle exhibition, I recommend that you can not only tour the inside of Ground Self-Defense Force tanks, but also climb on top of tanks for commemorative photos and interact with personnel, learning about special vehicles through hands-on experience.
There are few opportunities to take commemorative photos with Japanese special vehicles, and this will surely become an unforgettable memory of your Kanazawa trip.
Sports experience event with local soccer club (Kamitsutsumichō area)
Source:Kitaguni Shimbun
In the Kamitsutsumichō area, a sports experience event was held hosted by a local soccer club based in Ishikawa Prefecture. The streets in central Kanazawa became a playing field, and the smiles of children enjoying soccer while interacting with their admired players left a deep impression on me.
This event is a rare opportunity to enjoy sports on streets where cars constantly pass through normally. Since even small children without soccer experience can casually participate, if you're visiting with children, please join and enjoy this unique sports experience.
Powerful taiko drum performance by Ishikawa Prefecture Taiko Federation (Korinbo area)
Source:Kanazawa Tourism Official
The performance by the Ishikawa Prefecture Taiko Federation presented in the Korinbo area was one of the most exciting stages at the 2025 Kanazawa Yume Kaido.
In 2025, five groups participated and delivered majestic and lively performances with powerful and dynamic playing accompanied by spirited calls echoing throughout. The sight of performers wearing traditional Japanese festival attire "happi coats" allows you to experience the atmosphere of traditional Japanese festivals.
Two of the five groups participated from the Noto region, and I was deeply moved by the strength of their recovery from the earthquake disaster, which remains deeply in my heart. Please experience Japanese festival culture firsthand through the resonance of taiko drums that embody Kanazawa's traditional culture.
"Beer Station" where you can enjoy Asahi Beer and snacks (all areas)
Source:Kanazawa Tourism Official
At the 2025 Kanazawa Yume Kaido, "Beer Stations" were set up in four locations: Musashi, Minamichō, Korinbo, and Katamachi. The "Beer Stations" served Japan's representative beer "Asahi Beer" and snacks, and were hugely popular spots among adult participants.
In August, Kanazawa is so hot that you'll sweat just standing outdoors, and savoring cold beer in such conditions is a way to enjoy this outdoor event uniquely. How about immersing yourself in the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese festival while savoring the crisp and refreshing beer?
Stage events are also a must-see! Two performances held in 2025
YOSAKOI Soran
Source:Kitaguni Shimbun
YOSAKOI Soran is a creative dance that combines the dances of Kochi Prefecture's Yosakoi Festival with Hokkaido folk songs. The powerful dance performance, dancing while playing rhythms with clappers called "Naruko," is spectacular and has become one of the main events of Kanazawa Yume Kaido.
In 2025, on the second day, August 10, YOSAKOI Soran stages were presented at various venues around Kanazawa Station, with Hokukoku Shimbun Akabane Hall as the main venue. Unlike street performances, I love that indoor venues allow you to observe dancers' expressions and movements up close.
Please experience the essence of the passionate performances by dancers wearing colorful traditional costumes while savoring the lively festival atmosphere of Kanazawa.
Kyoto Tachibana High School Brass Band Special Concert
Source:Kitaguni Shimbun
On the second day of the 2025 Kanazawa Yume Kaido, a special concert by the Kyoto Tachibana High School Brass Band was also held at Hokukoku Shimbun Akabane Hall. The Kyoto Tachibana High School Brass Band is a group that has won gold awards for four consecutive years at the All Japan Marching Contest, and I was also captivated by their first-class performance.
The Kyoto Tachibana High School Brass Band is popular not only for its high level of performance skill but also for its gorgeous performances incorporating dance. The performances continue with nostalgic folk songs and J-POP that everyone in Japan knows, allowing you to enjoy a luxurious time immersed in distinctly Japanese music.
The combination of dynamic performances and perfectly synchronized dances is sure to be enjoyed even by those who are not familiar with brass bands.
If You Have a Local Guide Show You Around the City, You Can Deeply Enjoy Not Only Tourist Attractions But Also the History and Culture
When you visit Kanazawa, one of Japan's leading tourist cities, be sure to enjoy sightseeing in the traditional townscapes and historical spots. The "Kanazawa Half-day Historical Walking Tour" allows you to visit all of Kanazawa's popular tourist destinations, including Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen, and Higashi Chaya District, without missing any highlights.
With this tour guided by an English-speaking local guide, you can enjoy sightseeing while gaining a deeper understanding of Kanazawa's history and culture that you won't find in guidebooks.
Summer, when Kanazawa Yume Kaido is held, is my personal recommendation as you can stroll through Kenrokuen Japanese garden and the streets of Kanazawa surrounded by beautiful deep greenery.
Since this tour involves walking between each sightseeing spot, please participate wearing comfortable shoes.
<Information>
Meeting point: FamilyMart+Drug Komeya Kanazawa Musashi Store
Tour area: Musashigasuji - Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden area - Higashiyama
Start time: 10:00~
After Kanazawa Yume Kaido, Savor Exquisite Kanazawa Food!
After fully enjoying Kanazawa Yume Kaido, be sure to try Kanazawa's unique exquisite gourmet food, including local cuisine made with fresh seafood caught near Kanazawa and seasonal ingredients.
Below, I'll introduce three particularly recommended popular gourmet spots around the Kanazawa Yume Kaido venue.
Katamachi
Katamachi is Kanazawa's representative entertainment district, where a wide variety of dining establishments line the streets, from izakaya (Japanese bars) to high-end Japanese restaurants. Katamachi is also one of the main venues for Kanazawa Yume Kaido, and my recommendation point is that you can immediately enjoy Kanazawa gourmet food after the event.
In Katamachi, you can enjoy diverse local flavors including Blackthroat seaperch, a seafood that symbolizes Kanazawa, as well as local dishes like Jibuni and Kanazawa oden (a hot pot dish where boiled eggs, vegetables, and seafood are simmered in broth). Many shops in Katamachi are open until late at night, making it recommended for those who want to eat at multiple establishments.
If you want to experience a wide variety of local gourmet food in Kanazawa, known as a city of gastronomy, please visit this area.
Kiguramachi
Source:Official website
Kiguramachi is an area one street back from the main street of Katamachi, and is a shopping district with about 300 years of history. The retro townscape, as if you've time-slipped back about 300 years, is lined with approximately 90 shops including high-end Japanese restaurants, izakaya, and stylish bars.
In Kiguramachi, there are shops where you can enjoy various Japanese foods, including high-end sushi restaurants, tempura specialty shops, and traditional yakitori restaurants. Many shops have an elegant atmosphere, renovated from old townhouses, and unlike the modern and glamorous Katamachi, hidden famous establishments long loved by locals are scattered throughout.
In the calm atmosphere of Kiguramachi, while settling the excitement from Kanazawa Yume Kaido, please thoroughly savor delicious sake along with exquisite gourmet food.
Around Kanazawa Station
The area around Kanazawa Station is the base for Kanazawa travel and a gourmet spot that is conveniently accessible for foreign tourists.
In particular, the commercial facility "Anto" inside Kanazawa Station brings together shops where you can enjoy unique local gourmet food, such as conveyor belt sushi restaurants that originated in Kanazawa, Kanazawa curry specialty shops, and local ramen shops.
Among them, there are also traditional Japanese restaurants where you can taste "Kaga Dish," a traditional Japanese cuisine from Ishikawa Prefecture, allowing you to experience authentic local cuisine.
Additionally, within walking distance from Kanazawa Station, there are many shops where you can enjoy a wide variety of local sake along with exquisite dishes, such as izakaya where you can taste fresh seafood and Kanazawa oden.
Restaurants inside Kanazawa Station's "Anto" are open until around 21:00, and izakaya around Kanazawa Station are open until around 24:00, so my recommendation is that you can leisurely enjoy your meal even after enjoying Kanazawa Yume Kaido.
When You Come to Kanazawa, Savor Exquisite Cuisine at Locally Loved Shops!
For those who want to fully enjoy various exquisite gourmet foods in Kanazawa, I recommend participating in the "Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour."
This tour visits three izakaya in Katamachi, Kanazawa's representative entertainment district, where you can savor local gourmet food such as seafood dishes using fresh seafood like sashimi and Kanazawa oden.
My favorite aspect of this tour is that in addition to exquisite gourmet food, you can taste a variety of sake. While hearing from the master about local drinking customs and food pairings, you can compare different sake. Since an English-speaking guide accompanies you, even those who don't understand Japanese can participate with peace of mind.
This tour is a night tour where you can also taste alcohol, and participation is limited to those aged 20 and above. Please understand this in advance.
<Information>
Meeting point: In front of the Korinbo Ramoda bldg
Tour area: Korinbo - Katamachi
Start time: 17:00 / 18:00
