When was the last time you wrote a wish and hung it on a piece of colored paper, hoping the sky would listen? In Japan, this happens every year during the Tanabata Matsuri, also known as the Star Festival. This event, which blends tradition, romance, and spirituality, is celebrated by millions of people who connect with the ancient legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi — two lovers separated by the Milky Way.
In addition to its visual appeal with paper and bamboo decorations, the Tanabata Matsuri is one of the most symbolic moments of the Japanese summer. The festival takes place on the seventh day of the seventh month, with date variations depending on the region. It is also celebrated in other Asian countries, such as Korea and China, where the tradition has deep roots. And if you've heard about the Obon festival, know that often the two overlap in their practices and spiritual energy.
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Origin of the Tanabata Matsuri Festival
Although today it is profoundly Japanese, Tanabata has origins in ancient China. The story began with the Qixi festival, which was incorporated into the Japanese calendar in the year 775 by Empress Koken. At that time, it was celebrated at the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, primarily by the court elite.
Over the centuries, especially during the Edo Period, the celebration became popular and began to blend with the Obon festival, gaining its own elements and a striking visual identity. The highlight of modern festivities takes place in the city of Sendai, in Miyagi Prefecture, where more than 3,000 bamboo poles adorn the central streets in August, attracting thousands of visitors.
Legend of Origin - Orihime and Hikoboshi
The heart of the Tanabata Matsuri is an ancient love story — and like any good legend, it is filled with emotion, tragedy, and hope. Orihime (織姫), the Weaving Princess, was known for her skill in weaving celestial garments. However, she lived alone and burdened with work.
Your father, the Celestial Lord (天工), moved by your sadness, introduced you to Hikoboshi (彦星), a young star shepherd. The two fell in love, but their love caused them to neglect their duties. As punishment, the father separated them, placing them on opposite sides of the Milky Way (天の川, Amanogawa).
However, a divine concession was made: if they fulfilled their tasks with dedication, they could reunite once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month. If it rained on that date, Orihime would not be able to cross the celestial river, unless the Kasasagi (sacred birds) formed a bridge with their wings.
That is why, when looking at the night sky in July, many Japanese believe that the brightness of the stars Vega and Altair signals the annual reunion of the celestial couple.
Tanzaku - Decoration of the Tanabata
During Tanabata, one of the most notable traditions is to write wishes on colored papers, called Tanzaku (短冊), and hang them on bamboo branches. This practice started around 1818 and to this day is a ritual that symbolizes hope and spirituality.
Each color of Tanzaku has a meaning:
- white (peace)
- Yellow (money)
- green (hope)
- Red ion)
- rose (love)
- Blue (protection of the skies)
At the end of the festival, many burn papers in ceremonial bonfires so that their wishes can reach the heavens and, who knows, be granted by Orihime and Hikoboshi.
Song by Tanabata Matsuri
A simple yet powerful song is part of almost every Japanese person's childhood memories: the song of the Tanabata Matsuri. Learned in schools, it depicts the softness of bamboo leaves swaying in the wind and the stars shining in the sky.
笹の葉 さらさら
Sasa no ha sara-sara
The bamboo leaves whisper gently
軒端に ゆれる
Nokiba ni yureru
Swinging on the edge of the roof
お星さま キラキラ
Ohoshi-sama kira-kira
The little stars shine, shine
金銀 砂ご
Kin gin sunago
Like gold and silver dust
五色の たんざく
Goshiki no tanzaku
Five colored strips of paper
私が 書いた
Watashi ga kaita
They were written by me.
お星さま キラキラ
Ohoshi-sama kira-kira
The little stars shine, shine
空から 見てる
Sora kara miteru
Watching from the sky
Main Tanabata festivals in Japan
Although July 7 is the main reference, the dates vary by region. Each city puts its own stamp on the celebration — from large urban events to more intimate festivals.
To make your search easier, here is a selection of the main festivals and their approximate dates. : always check the official website of the local city hall to confirm updated dates.
List of Tanabata Festivals
| Festival | Name in Japanese | City/Province | Month |
| Mobara Festival | Mobara Tanabata Festival | Mobara, Chiba | July |
| Hodachi Tanabata Chirico Festival | Takarazuka Tanabata Kiriko Festival | Hodachi-cho, Suzu, Ishikawa | August |
| Taira Festival | Hira Tanabata Festival | Taira, Iwaki, Fukushima | August |
| Fussa Festival | Fussa Tanabata Festival | Fussa, Tokyo | August |
| Oyama no Tanabata Nagare | Oyasama's Tanabata Nagashi | Oyama, Kurobe, Toyama | August |
| Hachinohe Tanabata Festival | Hachinohe Tanabata Festival | Hachinohe, Aomori | July |
| Noshiro Nebunagashi (Nodoka Festival) | Noshiro Tanabata (Noshiro Nebunagashi) | Noshiro, Akita | August |
| Tanabata Festival of the Iruma River | Iruma River Tanabata Festival | Sayama, Saitama | August |
| Tsuchiura Kirara Festival | Tsuchiura Kirara Festival | Tsuchiura, Ibaraki | August |
| Octa Festival | Oita Tanabata Festival | Oita, Oita | August |
| Maebashi Festival | Maebashi Tanabata Festival | Maebashi, Gunma | July |
| Sendai Festival | Sendai Tanabata Festival | Sendai, Miyagi | August |
| Morioka Festival | Morioka Tanabata Festival | Morioka, Iwate | August |
| Shimizu Festival | Shimizu Tanabata Festival | Ala Shimizu, Shizuoka, Shizuoka | July |
| Metropolis Water Festival | Water City Festival | Ogaki, Gifu | August |
| Myth Kinmon Festival (festival) | Mito Koumon Festival | Mito, Ibaraki | August |
| Fukaya Festival | Fukaya Tanabata Festival | Fukaya, Saitama | July |
| Kamifukuoka Festival | Upper Fukuyama Tanabata Festival | Kamifukuoka, Fujimino, Saitama | August |
| Shonan Hiratsuka Festival | Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival | Hiratsuka, Kanagawa | July |
| Matsusaka Festival | Matsusaka Tanabata Festival | Matsusaka, Mie | August |
| Ogawamachi Festival | Ogawa Town Tanabata Festival | Ogawamachi, Saitama | July |
| Funami Festival | Funami Tanabata Festival | Funami, Nyuzen, Toyama | July |
| Sanctuary Summer Festival | Tanabata Shrine Summer Festival | Ogori, Fukuoka | July |
| Painting Lantern Festival | Tanabata Lantern Festival | Yuzawa, Akita | August |
| Launch of the Tanabata Balloon | Tanabata Balloon Release | Tokushima, Tokushima | July |
| Yamaguchi Tanabata Lantern Festival | Yamaguchi Tanabata Lantern Festival | Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi | August |
| Miki-machi Ikenobe Tanabata Festival | Miki Town Ikenobe Tanabata Festival | Miki, Kagawa | August |
| Takaoka Tanabata Festival | Takaoka Tanabata Festival | Takaoka, Toyama | August |
| Toede's Tanabata Festival | Tode Tanabata Festival | Toede-machi, Takaoka, Toyama | July |
| Furumachi Tanabata Festival | Kochi Tanabata Festival | Furumachi, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Niigata | July |
| Keio University's Tanabata SFC Festival | Keio University SFC Tanabata Festival | Fujisawa, Kanagawa | July |
| Kiryu Yagi-bushi Festival | Kiryu Yagibushi Festival | Kiryu, Gunma | August |
| Hashimoto Festival | Hashimoto Tanabata Festival | Midori Ward, Sagamihara, Kanagawa | August |
| Tanabata Festival at Osaka Shrine | Kibutsu Shrine Tanabata Festival | Katano, Osaka | July |
| Tanabata Festival in downtown Tokyo | Shitamachi Tanabata Festival | Taito Ward, Tokyo | July |
| Endoji Festival | Endoji Tanabata Festival | Nagoya, Aichi | July |
| Echigo-Murakami Festival | Echigo Murakami Tanabata Festival | Murakami, Niigata | August |
| Ichinomiya Festival | Ichinomiya Tanabata Festival | Ichinomiya, Aichi | July |
| Angel Festival | Anjo Tanabata Festival | Angel, Aichi | August |
| Asaya Festival | Asagaya Tanabata Festival | Asaya, Suginami-ku, Tokyo | August |
| Festival of the Seven Nettles | Kenta Tanabata Festival | Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata, Iwate | August |
| Ugoku Tanabata Festival | Moving Tanabata Festival | Rikuzentakata, Iwate | August |
Tanabata Matsuri outside Japan
The beauty and symbolism of Tanabata have transcended borders. In countries with a large Japanese community, such as Brazil, the United States, and Peru, the festival has gained adapted versions.
In Brazil, for example, the first celebration took place in the city of Assaí in 1978, and soon after began to be celebrated annually in the Liberdade neighborhood in São Paulo. Today, cities like Ribeirão Preto, Araraquara, and others in the ABC region also organize their own parties, featuring music, gastronomy, and cultural performances.
In common with Japan, these celebrations maintain the Tanzaku, traditional dances, and the spirit of connection between heaven and people.
A wish hanging among the stars
The Tanabata Matsuri is more than a festival: it is a living reminder that even the most improbable distances can be overcome by love and perseverance. By hanging a Tanzaku, you partake in a millennia-old tradition that continues to move generations.
If you have the chance to experience this festival, whether in Japan or another country, don't hesitate. Write your wish sincerely. After all, you never know when the stars will be paying attention.
