Kiriko festivals take place throughout the summer months across dozens of towns and villages on the Noto Peninsula, each community holding its own version of the tradition on a different date, carrying towering illuminated lantern floats called kiriko through the streets, often accompanied by drumming, chanting and a genuinely communal, participatory atmosphere. Unlike a single centralised event, the kiriko tradition is spread across the entire peninsula through the summer, giving visitors the chance to catch a smaller, more local festival experience beyond the larger, better-known Wajima Grand Festival.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Towns and villages across the Noto Peninsula |
| Hours | Evening into night, dates vary by town, roughly July–September |
| Admission | Free to view |
| Time needed | Several hours in the evening |
| Best time | Check individual town festival calendars |
What to See
- Towering illuminated kiriko lantern floats carried through the streets.
- Drumming, chanting and a genuinely communal festival atmosphere.
- Dozens of individual town festivals spread across the summer.
- A tradition unique to the Noto Peninsula, distinct from Wajima’s larger version.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Wajima Grand Festival to see the tradition’s largest-scale version.
- Pair with Noto Peninsula sightseeing more broadly.
- Read our Ishikawa overview .
Getting There
- By car: the most practical way to reach smaller town festivals scattered across the peninsula.
- By bus: limited-express buses reach main Noto towns, though schedules may not align with evening festival timing.
Tips
Because kiriko festivals happen on different dates in different towns throughout summer, research which specific town’s festival aligns with your travel dates rather than assuming one is happening on any given evening. Smaller town festivals offer a more intimate, local experience than Wajima’s larger event, worth seeking out if you want a quieter, more community-focused atmosphere.
