Prayer Services &
Annual Festivals

Annual Festival Calendar

1. Every Month

   1. 1stFirst Day Festival
   2. 27thMonthly Festival

2. January

   1. 1st New Year’s Day Festival Held on New Year’s Day, this festival celebrates the beginning of the new year while praying for the prosperity of the Imperial Family, the continued development of the nation, and the peace and prosperity of the local community and worshippers.
   2. 3rd Genshi Festival (First Beginning Festival) Held on January 3rd, this festival marks the beginning of the year with prayers for the prosperity of the Emperor and the continued development of the nation.
   3. 15th Birthday Festival of Lord Toshiie Maeda This festival celebrates the birthday of Lord Toshiie Maeda and honors his achievements and contributions.

   First Shrine Visit of the New Year

3. February

   1. 3rd Setsubun Festival This traditional festival is held around the beginning of spring and Setsubun to pray for protection from misfortune, good health, and an abundant harvest.
   2. 11th National Foundation Day Festival This festival is held on National Foundation Day, commemorating the accession of Emperor Jimmu and praying for the prosperity of the Imperial Family and the continued development of the nation.
   3. 17th Harvest Prayer Festival This festival is held to pray for a plentiful harvest, the prosperity of all industries, and the peace and well-being of the people throughout the year. Along with the Annual Grand Festival and the Niiname Festival, it is considered one of the most important Shinto rituals at the shrine.
   4. 23rd Tencho Festival (The Emperor’s Birthday) This festival celebrates the Emperor’s Birthday and offers prayers for His Majesty’s long life and continued good health.
   5. 28th Fire Prevention Festival This festival is held to pray for protection from fire and fire-related disasters, while giving thanks for the blessings of fire, which is essential to daily life.

   3rd February, Setsubun Festival, Welcoming good fortune before spring

4. April

   1. 25th Spring Festival Eve
   2. 26th Spring Festival This festival gives thanks for the blessings of nature and the changing seasons, while praying in spring and autumn for the prosperity of the local community and the good health of the people.
   3. 27th Annual Grand Festival Held on the anniversary of Lord Toshiie Maeda’s passing, this festival honors his virtues and prays for his divine protection. As one of the shrine’s most important rituals, the celebrations continue over three days, beginning with the Spring Festival and offerings of sacred sweets and tea.

   27th April Annual Grand Festival with Tea and Sweet Offerings

5. June

   1. 1st Friday Hyakumangoku Festival Prayer Service We pray for the continued growth and prosperity of Kanazawa and for the success of the Hyakumangoku Festival.
   2. 1st Saturday Fukoku Festival This festival, which began in 1877 shortly after the founding of the shrine, is regarded as the origin of the Hyakumangoku Festival. It was originally held on June 14th, the day Lord Toshiie Maeda entered Kanazawa Castle. Today, it is held on the same day as the Hyakumangoku Procession, the main event of Kanazawa’s largest festival, the Hyakumangoku Festival, and is considered one of the shrine’s most important rituals alongside the Annual Grand Festival, the Harvest Prayer Festival, and the Niiname Festival.
   3. 1st Sunday Post-Fukoku Festival This festival is held to report to the enshrined deities that the Fukoku Festival has concluded successfully. During the three days of the Hyakumangoku Festival, various shrine rituals and ceremonies are also held at the shrine.
   4. 14th Castle Entry Festival This festival commemorates the day Lord Toshiie Maeda first entered Kanazawa Castle on June 14th, 1583.
   5. 30th Summer Purification Ritual This purification ritual is held to cleanse spiritual impurities and unintentional wrongdoings that accumulate in daily life. It is performed twice a year at shrines throughout Japan, including the Imperial Court: the Summer Purification Ritual on June 30th and the Year-End Purification Ritual on December 31st.

   First Saturday of June, Hyakumangoku Parade commemorating Lord Toshiie Maeda’s entry into Kanazawa

   Sacred Procession of the Portable Shrine

   30th June, Mid-Year Purification Ceremony

6. July

   1. 25th Fukuju Festival This festival celebrates the birthday of Lady Omatsu and honors her achievements and contributions.

7. August

   1. 17th Memorial Festival for Lady Omatsu This festival is held on the anniversary of Lady Omatsu’s passing, honoring her virtues and praying for her continued protection and blessings.

8. October

   1. 2nd Autumn Festival Eve
   2. 3rd Autumn Festival This festival gives thanks for the blessings of nature and the changing seasons, while praying in spring and autumn for the prosperity of the local community and the good health of the people.
   3. 4th Post-Autumn Festival

9. November

   1. 16th Shrine Transfer Memorial Festival This festival commemorates the founding of Oyama Shrine on November 16th, 1873, when the spirit of Lord Toshiie Maeda was transferred from Utatsu Hachimangu Shrine.
   2. 23rd Niiname Festival (Harvest Thanksgiving Festival) This festival gives thanks for a plentiful harvest, prays for the prosperity of all industries and the well-being of the people, and offers the year’s first harvested rice to the enshrined deities. Along with the Annual Grand Festival and the Harvest Prayer Festival, it is considered one of the shrine’s most important Shinto rituals.

10. December

    1. 19th Purification Festival This purification ritual is held at the end of the year to cleanse the shrine buildings and prepare for a pure and peaceful New Year.
    2. 31st Year-End Festival Held on New Year’s Eve, this festival gives thanks for the blessings of the past year and prays for a pure and peaceful New Year.
    3. 31st Great Purification Ritual This purification ritual is held to cleanse spiritual impurities and unintentional wrongdoings that accumulate in daily life. It is performed twice a year at shrines throughout Japan, including the Imperial Court: the Summer Purification Ritual on June 30th and the Year-End Purification Ritual on December 31st.

Kanaya Shrine

Every Month

Annual Festival Like Lord Toshiie Maeda and Lady Omatsu, who are enshrined at the main shrine, memorial festivals (Nen-sai) are also held on the anniversaries of the passing of the successive Maeda lords and heads of the family from the 2nd to the 17th generation, as well as their principal wives and family members enshrined at Kanaya Shrine.