When to visit Kanazawa without the crowds
Kanazawa (Japan) is calmest in January, February, June and July: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in May, August and November. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with June: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Jan–Feb, Jun & Sep
When everyone heads home
The second week of May.
Tip
In winter Kenroku-en ties its pines with yukitsuri ropes, and crab is in season.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2/5 · calm | 7 °C (44 °F) | New Year's Day, Coming of Age Day |
| February | 2/5 · calm | 8 °C (46 °F) | Foundation Day, The Emperor's Birthday |
| March | 3/5 · moderate ✦ | 13 °C (55 °F) | Vernal Equinox Day |
| April | 3/5 · moderate ✦ | 19 °C (66 °F) | Shōwa Day |
| May | 4/5 · busy | 24 °C (75 °F) | Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, Children's Day |
| June | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 27 °C (81 °F) | Hyakumangoku Festival (early June) |
| July | 2/5 · calm | 31 °C (89 °F) | Marine Day |
| August | 4/5 · busy ⚠ | 33 °C (91 °F) | Mountain Day |
| September | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 29 °C (84 °F) | Respect for the Aged Day, Autumnal Equinox Day |
| October | 3/5 · moderate | 22 °C (72 °F) | Sports Day |
| November | 5/5 · busy ✦ | 17 °C (62 °F) | Culture Day, Labour Thanksgiving Day |
| December | 3/5 · moderate | 10 °C (50 °F) |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up. ✦ = something special to see.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Rainy season (tsuyu): rain most days until mid-July.
- Typhoon season (Aug–Sep): flights and trains can be cancelled.
What to see, and when
- Cherry blossoms (late March–early April).
- Autumn leaves (momiji), mid to late November.
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (e-Stat, Ishikawa Prefecture, 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Kanazawa without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually June (crowds 1/5). In June the average high is 27 °C (81 °F). All the calm months: January, February, June and July.
When is Kanazawa most crowded?
The busiest season is May, August and November. The second week of May.
What is the weather like in Kanazawa?
Average highs range from 7 °C (44 °F) in January to 33 °C (91 °F) in August, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Kanazawa?
Rainy season (tsuyu): rain most days until mid-July. Typhoon season (Aug–Sep): flights and trains can be cancelled.
What is there to see in Kanazawa by season?
Cherry blossoms (late March–early April). Autumn leaves (momiji), mid to late November.
What festivals are there in Kanazawa?
The main ones: Hyakumangoku Festival (early June) (June).
More places in Japan
- Kyoto calm in January, February and June; busiest in March, April, May and November
- Tokyo calm in January, February, June and September; busiest in April
- Osaka calm in January, February and June; busiest in March, April, May, August and November
- Hiroshima & Miyajima calm in January, February, June and December; busiest in April, May, August and November
- Nara calm in January, February, June and December; busiest in April, May, August, October and November
- Sapporo (Hokkaido) calm in March, April, May and November; busiest in February, July and August
- Naha (Okinawa) calm in January, February, April, June and December; busiest in July and August
- Hakone calm in January, February, June, July and September; busiest in August and November
- Nikko calm in January, February, March, April, June and December; busiest in August, October and November
- Fukuoka calm in January, February and June; busiest in May, August and November
- Kawaguchiko (Mount Fuji) calm in January, February, March, June, October and December; busiest in August