Ishikawa – July 25 Hokkokuhanabi Fireworks Festival Kanazawa Venue

Access

There is no parking available for general visitors around the venue. Traffic restrictions will also be in place in the surrounding area on the day of the event, so using public transportation or the shuttle bus is recommended.

Shuttle Buses Shuttle buses are scheduled to operate from two locations: JR Kanazawa Station’s Kanazawa Port Exit (West Exit, boarding area 1) and inside Kenrokuen Greenway Park in the western part of the prefecture (in front of the first-base side of the prefectural baseball stadium).

• Fare: ¥1,000 round trip (free for elementary school students and younger, cash only)
• Operating hours: Operates continuously from around 17:30 until the fireworks festival ends (travel time approximately 5–10 minutes)
• Important: The shuttle bus stops and the area around Kanazawa Station will be extremely crowded after the fireworks festival. Allow plenty of time when planning your movements. To avoid the crowds, either leave the venue 10–15 minutes before the finale in a “head-start departure,” or wait at the venue for about 1 hour after the fireworks end as part of a “staggered departure.”

Train Nearby stations include JR Kanazawa Station, Hokutetsu-Kanazawa Station (Asanogawa Line), and Nishiizumi Station (Ishikawa Line), but the venue is more than 20 minutes away on foot. The shuttle bus is a convenient option, especially for avoiding the crowds.

Be Careful Not to Miss the Last Train Since the fireworks festival is scheduled to end at around 20:50, visitors coming from farther away should check their return train times in advance and take care not to miss their train.

Reserved Seating and Tickets

Reserved seating is available at the Hokkokuhanabi Fireworks Festival Kanazawa Venue, allowing visitors to enjoy the fireworks from a guaranteed prime location. The 2026 seating types and prices are as follows.

• Platinum seat with parking: ¥7,000 (1 person, soft drink included, 1 parking space)
• Platinum seat: ¥5,000 (1 person, soft drink included)
• Chair seat: ¥4,000 (1 person)
• Pair seat: ¥6,000 (2 people)
• Table seat: ¥11,000 (up to 5 people)

Ticket sales period: General sales run from Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 10:00 until Monday, July 20, 2026, at 23:29. Important:

• Preschool-aged children may watch for free when sitting on an adult’s lap, but a ticket is required if they need their own seat.
• Reserved sponsor seating will still be provided if the festival is postponed due to severe weather; however, sponsor contributions cannot be refunded unless the festival is canceled.
• Open flames are strictly prohibited inside the venue.
• Please refrain from photographing the fireworks with a tripod, as this may inconvenience other guests.

For details, please check the official Hokkokuhanabi website.

Lesser-Known Viewing Spots

The area around the venue gets extremely crowded, but there are several lesser-known spots where you may be able to enjoy the fireworks from a little farther away.

1. Utatsuyama Observatory From the observatory on Mount Utatsu, which offers sweeping views of Kanazawa, you can enjoy the city’s nightscape and the fireworks at the same time. Since it is approximately 4km from the launch site, the fireworks may lack impact when viewed with the naked eye, but a telephoto lens can produce beautiful photographs. The parking lot is expected to be crowded, so arriving early is recommended. Please note that parking on the street is subject to enforcement.

2. Sai River Greenway area (riverbanks from Shinbashi to Mikage Ohashi and near Sakurabashi) The riverbanks along Sai River Greenway, located slightly downstream from the venue, may offer a chance to watch the fireworks while avoiding some of the crowds. In particular, the riverbanks between Shinbashi and Mikage Ohashi and near Sakurabashi are considered easy places to view the fireworks, with relatively few obstacles. However, part of the Sai River cycling path may be closed near the Mameda Ground on the day of the fireworks festival, so be sure to check in advance.

3. Kanazawa Port Cruise Terminal The Kanazawa Port Cruise Terminal is also regarded as a spot for viewing the fireworks from a distance. Although it is far from the venue, it can be a good choice for those who want to relax and enjoy the fireworks in an open setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is parking available? A. There is no parking for general visitors around the venue. Visitors arriving by car are encouraged to use a park-and-ride arrangement: park at a paid parking lot near Kanazawa Station and transfer to the shuttle bus. It is also possible to use parking near the venue by purchasing a platinum seat with parking.

Q. Where do the shuttle buses operate from? A. Shuttle buses operate from two locations: JR Kanazawa Station’s Kanazawa Port Exit (West Exit, boarding area 1) and inside Kenrokuen Greenway Park in the western part of the prefecture (in front of the first-base side of the prefectural baseball stadium). Check the official website for the latest information on operating hours, fares, and boarding locations.

Q. What happens in case of rain? A. In the event of severe weather, the festival will be postponed to Sunday, July 26, 2026. If severe weather continues, Monday, July 27, 2026, has been designated as the backup date. Please check the official festival website to confirm whether the event will go ahead.