Tanabata (七夕, Star Festival) commemorates the annual meeting of the deities Orihime (the Weaver Star, Vega) and Hikoboshi (the Cowherd Star, Altair), separated for the year by the Milky Way and allowed to cross on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Today celebrated on July 7 (or August 7 in some regions), it is observed across Japan with colorful tanzaku (paper wish strips) hung from bamboo branches — and most spectacularly in the street decorations of Sendai and Hiratsuka.
Sendai Tanabata: Japan’s Largest
Sendai Tanabata (August 6–8) is Japan’s largest Tanabata celebration, drawing approximately 2 million visitors. The shotengai (covered shopping arcades) of Ichibancho and Clis Road are festooned with enormous kazari (decorations) — cascading streams of paper cuttings, origami, and washi hanging from poles 5–10 metres above the street. Each year’s designs are created by local associations and judged for craftsmanship.
The traditional seven types of Tanabata decoration (nanatsu kazari) each carry specific wishes: paper kimonos (improve skill), purses (financial fortune), paper nets (good catch/harvest), trash bags (cleanliness/tidiness), origami cranes (health and longevity), streamers (fukinagashi, weavers’ skill), and tanzaku (written wishes). Look for all seven types as you walk through the arcade.
Hiratsuka Tanabata
Hiratsuka (Kanagawa Prefecture) holds what is considered Japan’s second-largest Tanabata, typically July 5–7. Unlike Sendai’s covered arcade concentration, Hiratsuka’s decorations spread across multiple outdoor streets and a dedicated festival ground. The atmosphere is more open-air carnival; food vendors and entertainment stages complement the bamboo decorations. Access from Tokyo: 35 minutes on the Tokaido Line from Shinjuku or Shibuya.
Writing Tanzaku
The tradition of writing wishes on colored tanzaku paper and hanging them from bamboo is practiced nationwide during Tanabata season. Many shrines, shopping centers, and schools set up bamboo branches for public wishes in late June–early July. At festivals, blank tanzaku and pens are typically provided free or for a small donation.
- Sendai Tanabata coincides with the Nebuta Festival in Aomori (August 2–7) — combine both on a Tohoku rail trip.
- Arrive at Sendai on August 5 for the Hanabi Taikai (fireworks display) that traditionally opens the festival.
- The decorated arcades are beautiful even in light rain — unlike outdoor festivals, Sendai’s covered venues are weatherproof.
- Sendai is 1.5 hours from Tokyo by Tohoku Shinkansen (Hayabusa).