🌌 Tanabata – The Japanese Star Festival of Wishes (July 7th)

Traditional Yukata wearing women in Japan during Tanabata

Once a year in Japan, people write their deepest wishes on colorful paper strips and hang them on bamboo trees. This beautiful custom is called Tanabata, or the Star Festival, and it’s celebrated on July 7th. The story behind it is as magical as the decorations themselves – and offers a window into the romantic, poetic side of Japanese culture.

✨ The Legend of Tanabata

Tanabata comes from an ancient Chinese folk tale called “The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl”. In the Japanese version:

• Orihime, the weaving princess (represented by the star Vega), and

• Hikoboshi, the cowherd (star Altair)

  are star-crossed lovers, separated by the Milky Way.

They’re allowed to meet only once a year on the night of July 7th, if the skies are clear. If it rains, legend says they must wait another year to be together. That bittersweet beauty is the heart of the festival.

🎋 How Tanabata is Celebrated Today

You’ll see bamboo branches (笹 – sasa) decorated with:

• Colorful paper strips (tanzaku) with written wishes

• Origami ornaments, often representing stars or cranes

• Streamers and paper kimono shapes

These decorations are often set up in shopping arcades, stations, schools, and homes. The bamboo symbolizes strength and flexibility, while wishes are meant to float up to the heavens.

In some places, people even burn or float the decorations afterward, as a way to send the wishes skyward.

📍 Where to See Tanabata in Tokyo (and Nearby)

While the main date is July 7th, some areas celebrate Tanabata in August, based on the traditional lunar calendar. Here are a few top spots:

• Asagaya Tanabata Festival (early August) – Famous for its massive paper-mâché characters and family-friendly vibe

• Shonan Hiratsuka Festival (early July) – One of the largest Tanabata festivals in Japan

• Tokyo Skytree / Sumida River area – Tanabata displays and lights

• Zojoji Temple (Minato) – Quiet but atmospheric bamboo displays

📝 Try It Yourself – Make a Wish!

During my tours, I sometimes bring a small bamboo branch or colorful strips so my guests can write their own wish and experience this tradition hands-on.

It’s a simple act—but standing under a summer sky and tying your wish to bamboo connects you to something ancient, hopeful, and very Japanese.

🎯 Want to Experience Japanese Traditions like Tanabata in Person?

Tanabata is just one example of Japan’s beautiful seasonal customs. On my private Tokyo walking tours, I’ll introduce you to shrines, traditions, and small details that you’d likely miss on your own—especially during local festivals like this one.

👉 Book your tour today or contact me to plan a meaningful experience in Tokyo.