Tanabata festival decorations on the streets of Sendai
Tanabata festival decorations on the streets of Sendai © Nikm, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Sendai Tanabata Festival仙台七夕まつり

The Sendai Tanabata Festival is a traditional Japanese festival that celebrates the Tanabata legend, where star-crossed lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi, represented by the stars Vega and Altair, meet once a year. The festival is renowned for its elaborate and intricate streamers and decorations, known as "kazari," which are made from bamboo and colorful paper, and are displayed throughout the city, particularly in the shopping arcades. Each decoration is meticulously crafted by local businesses and community groups, and they often feature beautiful designs and themes. The festival kicks off on the evening of August 5th with a grand fireworks display over the Hirose River. The fireworks mark the beginning of the festival and set a festive tone for the days to come.

Throughout the festival, various cultural performances, including traditional dances, music, and theatrical displays, are held at different venues across the city. These performances highlight the rich cultural heritage of Sendai and provide entertainment for all ages. One of the highlights are lively Tanabata parade of floats. Visitors can participate in the tradition of writing wishes on small pieces of paper (tanzaku) and hanging them on bamboo branches. These wishes are believed to come true, adding a personal and magical touch to the festival.

Venue

  • Ichibancho

    Address

    Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi

    Getting There

    • 1 minutes walk from Aoba-dori Ichibancho (青葉通一番町駅)
  • Sendai Station

    Address

    1 Chome-1-1 Central, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi

    Getting There

    • 1 minutes walk from Sendai Station (仙台駅)

Links

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