STUDY JAPANESE ONLINE WITH NATIVES HERE

Tanabata Matsuri - Orihime and Hikoboshi Star Festival

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.

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.

Tanabata2

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.

Stars

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.

Tanabata

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.