Hanayome Noren Exhibition (Bridal Curtain Exhibition)

Hanayome Noren Exhibition (Bridal Curtain Exhibition): Date: Every year from end of April to mid-May
Place of Event: Ipponsugi, Nanao City; Related Website: Hanayome Noren Exhibition Website (English)
http://ipponsugi.org/noren/english.html; The Hanayome Noren is a custom of the people of the Noto, Kaga, and Ecchu provinces of the Kaga Domain (kaga han) that belongs to the end of the Edo and early Meiji periods. When a bride is going to be wed, water is given by both the bride’s and groom’s families and mixed together, and then the couple drinks it at the entrance before their ceremony. A curtain, called hanayome noren, bearing the bride’s family’s crest is hung at the entrance of the Buddhist altar in the husband’s house, then the bride and groom hold each others’ hands before the enshrined Buddha and offer their gratitude before beginning the wedding ceremony.

Seihaku Festival (Blue Oak Festival)

Seihaku Festival (Blue Oak Festival): Date: Every year in the beginning of May (three day event)
Place of Event: Nanao City (Uo-machi Kaji-machi Fuchuu-machi); Related Website: Seihaku Festival (Blue Oak Festival)
Dekayama Preservation Society Official Site (Japanese Only)
http://www.nanao-cci.or.jp/dekayama/index.html; Seihaku Festival is a Spring Festival held at the Ootokonushi (Sanno) Shrine. It is a place to pray for peace and good harvest and people visit here from the towns in the surrounding areas and present three Dekayama or huge festival floats.

Hanayome Noren Exhibition (Bridal Curtain Exhibition)

Noto Yosakoi Festival (Summer Night Festival): Date: Every year on 1st Saturday and Sunday in June (two day event)
Place of Event: Wakura Onsen Town; Related Website: Notoyosakoi Festival Homepage (Japanese Only)
http://www.wakura.or.jp/yosakoi/; Inspired by the Yosakoi festival held in Kochi prefecture, Wakura Onsen holds its own Yosakoi festival that showcases a variety of Yosakoi dances from over 50 organizations. They come from various areas, both outside and within the prefecture.

Monterey Jazz Festival in Noto

Monterey Jazz Festival in Noto: Date: Every year at the end of July
Place of Event: Nanao Marine Park; Related Website: Monterey Jazz Festival in Noto (Japanese only)
http://www.mjfinnoto.jp/; Founded in 1989, this festival is designed to promote international exchange with Nanao’s sister city, Monterey in the United States. The Monterey Jazz Festival (MJF) has given Nanao City sole rights to use the title and join them in one of the world’s three most famous jazz festivals, held every year at the end of July. In addition to the amateurs and professionals that play, there are a variety of musicians to enjoy including the MJF All Star Band selected from Monterey High School Big Band.

Wakura Onsen Summer Fireworks

Wakura Onsen Summer Fireworks: Date: Every year at the beginning of August
Place of Event: Wakura Port; Related Website: Wakura Onsen Summer Fireworks (Wakura Hot Springs Travel Association Homepage) (Japanese only)
http://www.wakura.or.jp/p65.html; A customary summer festival in Wakura Onsen. Watch fireworks explode in the air and erupt seemingly from the ocean surface light up the night sky in a spectacular display.

Wakuwaku Summer Festival

Wakuwaku Summer Festival: Date: Every year from the end of July to the end of August
Place of Event: Wakura Port Park (Waku-waku Plaza); Related Website:Wakuwaku Summer Festival (Wakura Hot Springs Tourism Association Homepage) (Japanese only)
http://www.wakura.or.jp/p66.html; Reproduction of a nostalgic traditional Japanese summer festival. Enjoy visiting many festival stalls selling games and cotton candy.

Okuma Kabuto Festival

Okuma Kabuto Festival: Date: Every September 20th
Place of Event: Nakajima Town, Nanao City; Related Website: Nanao city Tourism Association Website (Japanese only)
http://www.nanaoh.net/p136.html; Designated as an important cultural asset to Japan, it is also known as the wakubata or Flag Festival. After all the crimson red banner flags that are more than 20 meters high are gathered at the main shrine, men in red-faced and long-nosed goblin masks perform the boisterous sarutahiko dance within the shrine grounds.

Seirin-ji jyoya no kane

Seirin-ji jyoya no kane: Date: Every year on December 31st from 11:30p.m.
Place of Event: Seirin Temple; Related Website: Wakura Hot Springs Tourism Association Homepage (Japanese only)
http://www.wakura.or.jp/p86.html; Listening to the ringing of 108 bell tolls on New Year’s Eve is an end-of-year tradition in Japan.

Sukunahikona Shrine hatsumode (First Visit of the Year)

Sukunahikona Shrine hatsumode (First Visit of the Year): Date: Every year on December 31st from 11:30p.m.
Place of Event: Seirin Shrine; Related Website:Wakura Hot Springs Tourism Association Homepage (Japanese only)
http://www.wakura.or.jp/p86.html; Celebrate the New Year by visiting a temple. Experience a traditional Japanese New Year.

Wakura Onsen Winter Fireworks

Wakura Onsen Winter Fireworks: Date: Every year at the beginning of January
Place of Event: Wakura Onsen Seaside Park; Related Website: Wakura Hot Springs Tourism Association Homepage (Japanese only)
http://www.wakura.or.jp/p163.html; Wakura Onsen’s traditional winter event, where you can gaze at the fireworks spread across a beautiful snowy night sky.

Noto Wakura Manyo no Sato Marathon

Noto Wakura Manyo no Sato Marathon: Date: Every year at the beginning of March
Place of Event: Wakura Onsen; Related Website: (Noto Wakura Manyo no Sato Marathon website)
http://www.city.nanao.lg.jp/marathon/index.html; Run a refreshing and enjoyable marathon while taking in the scenery of Noto Island and Wakura Onsen.