Tanabata
SeasonalKanto(Tokyo)
Annual eventDates
2026-07-07
Venue
Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival venue (Hiratsuka)
Admission
Free
Crowd Level
Moderate crowdStar Festival celebrating the annual meeting of celestial lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi.
Tanabata, the Star Festival, celebrates the annual meeting of the celestial lovers Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair) on July 7th. People write wishes on colorful strips of paper called tanzaku and hang them on bamboo branches. The Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival is one of Japan's largest Tanabata celebrations, featuring elaborate streamers stretching across the city's shopping streets and attracting over 1.5 million visitors.
Highlights
Massive colorful tanabata streamers arching over shopping streets; Writing wishes on tanzaku paper strips and hanging them on bamboo; Evening illumination of decorations creating a magical atmosphere
Access
2-minute walk from JR Hiratsuka Station (JR Tokaido Line, approximately 60 minutes from Tokyo Station).
Tips for Visitors
The Hiratsuka festival typically spans several days around July 7th — check exact dates. Evenings are best for the illuminated decorations. Write your wish on a tanzaku strip at any participating location. The festival area gets very crowded, so use public transport.