Tanabata Festival
Experience the Tanabata Festival in Japan, celebrating a legendary love story with vibrant decorations, parades, and delicious street food. Don't miss renowned festivals at Sendai, Shonan Hiratsuka, Ichinomiya, Anjo, and Noshiro.
Tanabata is celebrated in Japan on the 7th of July. It revolves around the romantic tale of Orihime, the weaver princess, and Hikoboshi, the cowherd prince, who were separated by the Milky Way and allowed to meet only once a year on the evening of Tanabata.
Families and schools celebrate this period by writing their wishes on thin paper sheets and hanging them on a bamboo branch. Communities host a Tanabata Matsuri, also known as the Tanabata festival, which celebrates this mythical love story and the onset of summer. The festival dates range from July to August, depending on the region (the August dates align with the lunar calendar). Decorations, parades, dances, and street food further enhance the festival. Well-known festivals are below:
Sendai Tanabata Festival | Miyagi
The quintessential Tanabata Festival in Japan, with a history of 400 years. Enjoy the intricate decorations swaying in the breeze as you stroll through arcade alleys. Each organization puts months of effort into perfecting their designs, keeping them under wraps until the festival begins. With nervous excitement, the designs are mounted onto bamboo poles over 10m long for over 2 million participants to enjoy.
Dates: August 6 - 8, 2023
Location: Central Sendai City
Closest Train Station: JR Sendai Station
Official Festival Website: https://www.sendaitanabata.com/
Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival | Kanazawa
Explore the arcade alleys adorned with intricate tanabata decorations that depict significant individuals and animals of the year. As the night falls, the decorations illuminate, bringing an alternative perspective to the festival. The event boasts a grand parade with over 350 local participants, a major highlight.
Dates: July 7 - 9, 2023
Location: Hiratsuka City
Closest Train Station: JR Hiratsuka Station North Exit
Official Festival Website: http://www.tanabata-hiratsuka.com/
Ichinomiya Tanabata Festival | Aichi
The festival has a deep-seated history that stems from the textile industry of Ichinomiya City. It is an annual celebration that shows gratitude to the textile gods and seeks their blessings for the growth and success of the industry. Over the years, it has evolved into the city's biggest summer event, with lavish decorations that draw over a million people.
Dates: July 27 - 30, 2023
Location: Ichinomiya Hommachi Shopping Street
Closest Train Station: JR Owari-Ichonimiya Station
Official Festival Website: https://www.138ss.com/tanabata/
Anjo Tanabata Festival | Aichi
The festival in Japan is reputed to boast the longest street adorned with bamboo decorations, along with the highest number of tanzaku strips and wish-related festivities in the country. It was renamed "No.1 in Japan for wishes" in 2009, with a greater emphasis placed on the wish-making aspect of the events. The wish-making candle event and the Anjo Tanabata Shrine are popular features that guests enjoy.
Dates: August 4 - 6, 2023
Location: Anjo City Miyukihonmachi
Closest Train Station: JR Anjo Station
Official Festival Website: http://anjo-tanabata.jp/
Noshiro Tanabata Festival | Akita
A one-of-a-kind Tanabata festival showcasing Japan’s tallest castle lantern floats, towering at 24.1 and 17.6 meters. These lanterns are modeled after ones captured in photographs during the Meiji period over a century ago and were recreated in 2013 to revitalize the city. Witness the breathtaking sight of the two castle lanterns parading through the streets, reaching toward the night sky.
Dates: August 2 - 3, 2023
Location: Near Noshiro City Hall
Closest Train Station: JR Noshiro Station
Official Festival Website: https://noshirotanabata.com/
