Delight in an Exciting Festival and a Celebratory Meal

Watch professionals perform the Kaga Shishimai as you feast on an authentic local meal eaten during festivals

The Kaga Shishimai, a traditional performing art featuring performers wearing lion heads and dancing, is a quintessential dance at many Ishikawa festivals, and ordinarily is rarely seen outside of the few days a year in which these festivals are celebrated. Although perhaps relatively few tourists can experience authentic Japanese festivals because the timing doesn’t work out, do not fret. You can both watch master performers execute this dance and dine on festival delicacies, even if you are not able to schedule your visit on the exclusive festival days.

The Kaga Shishimai is said to have started to celebrate the arrival of the ancestors of the Kaga Domain, which was centered at Kanazawa Castle. Come to In Kanazawa House, a former merchant home which was built about a century ago with beautifully traditional wooden architecture and which still hosts geisha performances. Here, professionals from the Kaga Lion Dance Preservation Association will perform an authentic Kaga Shishimai for you, using real masks designed to represent a lion’s face as well as other essential tools that are otherwise only brought out for the festivals. In addition, while you watch their thrilling dance, you will feast on regional specialties that are usually only served during the festivals.
This experience features English guidance and is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Ishikawa culture with respect to history, cuisine, architecture, and performing arts. Even if you have seen Shishimai before, they differ from region to region within Japan, so this will certainly be a meal and show like no other.
Access: From Tokyo Station, take the shinkansen bullet train to Kanazawa Station, about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Then take a bus to Sanja bus stop, about 10 minutes.

In Kanazawa House