The Complete Guide to Tanabata Japan Colorful Festivities Festival

The Romantic Legend of Tanabata

Tanabata, Japan's Star Festival, is rooted in a centuries-old Chinese legend about the star-crossed lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi, who are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. This enchanting festival is celebrated with vibrant decorations, traditional performances, and heartfelt wishes, making it a unique and magical experience.

When and Where to Celebrate Tanabata

Festival Dates

Tanabata festivals are typically held around the seventh day of the seventh month, which can fall in either July or August depending on the lunar calendar. However, some festivals, like the Sendai Tanabata Festival, are held in early August.

Major Festival Locations

• Sendai Tanabata Festival: Held in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, this is Japan's largest and most famous Tanabata festival. It takes place from August 6 to 8 and features elaborate decorations, fireworks, and traditional performances.
• Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival: Located in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, this festival is one of the largest in the Kanto region and usually occurs in early July. It is known for its impressive decorations and lively events.
• Ogawamachi Tanabata Festival: Held in Saitama Prefecture, this festival is famous for its "washi" paper decorations and features dancing, fireworks, and numerous food stalls.
• Anjo Tanabata Festival: In Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture, this festival is notable for its dedicated Tanabata Shrine and is a place to wish for business prosperity and matchmaking.

Festival Highlights and Attractions

Decorations and Wishes

• Tanzaku: Festival-goers write their wishes on small pieces of paper called tanzaku, which are then hung on bamboo branches. These papers come in five colors, each representing a different element of East Asian cosmology.
• Bamboo Decorations: Intricate bamboo crafts festooned with colorful papers and streamers are a hallmark of Tanabata festivals. In Sendai, these decorations include large paper balls and symbolic items like wastebaskets and nets.

Performances and Events

• Traditional Dances: The Tanabata dance is a stylized performance that tells the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi through movement and music.
• Fireworks: Spectacular fireworks displays are a common feature, especially in the Sendai Tanabata Festival, which includes a fireworks display on the night before the festival.
• Live Music: Stages across the festival areas feature traditional Japanese music, such as taiko drumming, as well as contemporary bands.

Food and Drinks

• Traditional Festival Foods: Visitors can enjoy a variety of traditional Japanese festival foods like yakisoba, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and yakitori. Refreshing local beverages and seasonal treats are also available.

Unique Traditions and Customs

Craft Workshops

• Hands-on Experiences: Many festivals offer traditional craft workshops where attendees can create their own Tanabata decorations, providing a hands-on experience and insight into local artistic traditions.

Special Events

• Wishing Candle and Balloons: At the Anjo Tanabata Festival, participants can wrap their tanzaku wishes around a candle or release "wish balloons" into the air.
• Agrarian Folk Songs: In Sendai, the festival includes agrarian folk songs as part of the celebration, paying homage to Tanokami, the god of the harvest.

Tips for Participants and Spectators

Planning Your Visit

• Dress Comfortably: It is advisable to dress in comfortable summer attire and wear walking shoes, as the festival can get crowded.
• Best Viewing Spots: Areas like the Ichibancho and Clis Road shopping arcades in Sendai are great spots for enjoying the decorations and performances without the congestion.

Access and Transportation

• Getting to Sendai: The best ways to get to Sendai include taking the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo, which takes about an hour and a half, or using highway buses or flights.

Local Products and Souvenirs

Traditional Crafts

• Paper Crafts: Beautiful paper crafts, local snacks, and exclusive festival merchandise are popular souvenirs that make perfect gifts.

Recommended Souvenirs

• Local Specialties: Visitors can find a variety of local crafts and specialty products, including those made from traditional Japanese paper (washi) in Ogawamachi.