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Best time to visit Kanazawa: month by month
Short answer
April for cherry blossoms and October to November for autumn colours are the best seasons, with highs of about 16–20°C. July and August reach about 29–31°C and are humid; winter is cold and snowy, about 6–9°C, but brings yukitsuri ropes and the best crab.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6°C | 0°C | 24 | medium |
| Feb | 7°C | 1°C | 18 | low |
| Mar | 13°C | 4°C | 13 | medium |
| Apr | 17°C | 8°C | 10 | very high |
| May | 21°C | 13°C | 14 | high |
| Jun | 25°C | 18°C | 14 | medium |
| Jul | 29°C | 23°C | 16 | medium |
| Aug | 31°C | 24°C | 17 | high |
| Sep | 27°C | 21°C | 14 | medium |
| Oct | 20°C | 13°C | 14 | high |
| Nov | 16°C | 8°C | 15 | very high |
| Dec | 9°C | 3°C | 26 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
About 13°C in March, 17°C in April and 21°C in May; cherry blossoms usually peak in early April.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
About 25°C in June rising to 29–31°C in July and August, humid, with rain on 14–17 days a month.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
About 27°C in September, 20°C in October and 16°C in November; autumn colours in the gardens in November.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
About 6–9°C by day and near freezing at night, with precipitation on 18–26 days a month, often snow; yukitsuri on the pines and snow crab season.
Events worth planning around
- Cherry blossom season at Kenroku-en and the castle (early April)
- Golden Week national holidays (late April to early May), very busy
- Hyakumangoku Matsuri, Kanazawa's main festival (early June)
- Yukitsuri rope-tying in the gardens (from about November)
When to avoid
Avoid Golden Week and the Obon holiday in mid-August if you dislike crowds; July and August are uncomfortably hot and humid for long garden walks.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Kanazawa?
April and October to November.
Is Kanazawa good in winter?
Yes for snowy gardens and crab, though it is cold and often grey.
When do the cherry blossoms bloom?
Usually in early April; dates vary each year.