Tanabata 2025: Japan’s Festival of Stars and Summer Wishes

by Liki Ueno

The Tanabata festivals of Japan are a celebration of love, culture, and tradition. Every year, millions of tourists travel to Japan mainly to see the event. If you’re thinking of attending one, you need to read this guide. It will tell you everything about Tanabata, also known as the Star Festival. Our guide covers the legend behind the event, the date, the best locations, and traditional practices to engage in as a visitor.

The Legend Behind Tanabata: A Tale of Star-Crossed Lovers

The Legend Behind Tanabata: A Tale of Star-Crossed Lovers

The festival is based on a romantic story known as the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi. It involves two celestial lovers separated by the Milky Way and allowed to reunite once a year on the 7th day of the 7th month. The Tanabata story draws inspiration from an ancient Chinese legend, The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, which is several thousand years old.

According to the legend of Tanabata, the god of the heavens, Tentei, had a daughter named Orihime (Weaving Princess). She was a talented seamstress who spent most of her time weaving clothes for her father. She would sit next to the Amanogawa (Heavenly River) and weave spectacular garments. Unfortunately, Orihime had a problem. She was working so hard that there wasn’t any opportunity for her to find love. Upon seeing his daughter’s despair, Tentei decided to play matchmaker and set her up with Hikoboshi (Cowherd Star), a popular cow herder on the opposite bank of the Amanogawa. Orihime and Hikoboshi instantly fell in love with each other, and at first, it seemed like the perfect plan. But it soon backfired.

Their love was so consuming that after they married, they abandoned all daily activities. Tentei began observing that Orihime stopped weaving beautiful clothes, and Hikoboshi neglected his cows, allowing them to roam uninhibited around the heavens. Filled with rage, Orihime's father separated the two lovers by keeping them on opposite sides of the Amanogawa. Princess Orihime pleaded with her father until her cries touched his heart. He declared that the only day they could meet in a year was on the seventh day of the seventh month (Tanabata). On the first day of their reunion, the couple discovered that they had no way to cross the river. The realization that she may not meet Hikoboshi drove Orihime to tears. Thankfully, a flock of magpies took pity on her and made a bridge for them using their wings. The magpies would return every Tanabata to make a bridge for the lovers. To this day, they continue to do so, unless it rains on Tanabata. Many people wish for good weather at the time of the festivities.

When and Where Is Tanabata Celebrated?

When and Where Is Tanabata Celebrated?

The Tanabata Festival was introduced by Japanese Empress Kōken of the Imperial Court in 755. The date for the official event was originally the seventh day of the seventh lunar month based on the Japanese lunisolar calendar. This date fell on the 7th of July, and every region in Japan celebrated Tanabata on that day. However, after Japan switched from the lunar calendar to the Gregorian calendar in 1873, the seventh month could be interpreted as August instead of July, and the specific day wasn’t fixed to the 7th anymore.

As a result, Tanabata is July 7th in most regions of Japan, but in northern Japan, it sometimes falls on a predetermined day in August. Based on Georgian dates, Tanabata is August 25th in 2025 and August 19th in 2026. Please note that the dates signify the start of Tanabata, as the actual festival can last for several days.

Writing Wishes: The Meaning of Tanzaku

Writing Wishes: The Meaning of Tanzaku

The festival’s most important tradition involves writing wishes on colorful strips of paper called tanzaku and hanging them on the branches of a bamboo tree. The general belief surrounding the custom is that it brings good fortune and grants the written wishes. People write wishes for success, love, or happiness. They may write their wishes down in plain text or in the form of poetry.

The bamboo tree may feature additional decorations. They tend to stay up until midnight or early the next day, after which they are burned or set afloat on a river. These traditional local customs and many of the others practiced during the Tanabata Matsuri are similar to the floating paper ships of the Obon Festival of mid-August.

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The Most Famous Tanabata Festivals in Japan

The Most Famous Tanabata Festivals in Japan

Every region in Japan has its version of the event. But in this section, we’ll only explore the most popular ones. These Star Festivals draw massive crowds from different parts of the country and the rest of the world.

  • Sendai Festival (Miyagi): The Star Festival in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, is the biggest and most famous one in Japan. This summer event typically takes place from August 6 to 8 every year. Its main features are the 3,000 decorations hung on bamboo branches and a stunning fireworks display. The Sendai Tanabata Festival began in the early Edo Period (1603-1868). It was held annually but paused during the economic depression that followed World War I and in the turmoil of World War II before resuming in 1946.

  • Shonan Hiratsuka Festival (Kanagawa): This event is the main Star Festival in the Kanto region. It usually begins in early July and lasts for three days. The usual venue is Shonan Star Mall in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

  • Asagaya Festival (Tokyo): This is one of Tokyo’s most popular summer events. You should attend to see some of the main attractions, like 30-foot-high Tanabata decorations, colorful parades, and more.

  • Ichinomiya Festival (Aichi): This version of the festival is held in July, from the last Thursday to the last Sunday of the month. It combines Tanabata’s mythology with that of the region’s deity of textiles. Hence, it’s known as the Textile Thanksgiving Ichinomiya Tanabata Star Festival.

Tanabata Night: What to Expect at the Festivals

Tanabata Night: What to Expect at the Festivals

Although celebrations vary by region, most Tanabata Festivals feature a lively nighttime atmosphere. Shopping arcades, markets, and streets are decorated with handmade designs and gigantic, colorful streamers. Most people walking down the streets wear brightly colored yukata, a type of summer kimono.

The events often feature live performances and dance parades. Some of them include dance contests, Tanabata decoration competitions, festive games, workshops, and beauty pageants in which the winner becomes the next Miss Tanabata. Like with other Japanese festivals, the streets are lined with bright lanterns and local street food stalls (yatai), where people enjoy traditional meals and light snacks.

Traditional Foods Enjoyed During Tanabata

Traditional Foods Enjoyed During Tanabata

The Star Matsuri offers a chance to enjoy special treats from the local cuisine. A unique style of somen noodles is especially popular at the event. Unlike regular versions of the dish, it features two types of dipping sauce and symbolizes the Milky Way.

Some street foods enjoyed during the celebration are takoyaki, okonomiyaki, yakitori, and yakisoba. You’ll also find many festival sweets, especially yokan, a traditional jelly dessert made from red bean paste, agar, and sugar. Kakigori, a shaved ice dessert, is a popular seasonal food during the summer event.

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How Different Regions Celebrate Tanabata

How Different Regions Celebrate Tanabata

Japanese cities celebrate Tanabata in distinctive ways. Kyoto has illuminated bamboo trees and several tea ceremonies, incorporating contemporary elements into its tradition. In Asakusa, the locals prefer simple, community-style celebrations.

Other countries celebrate their versions of Tanabata. In China, they have the Qixi Festival, which is actually the inspiration for Japan’s Star Festival. Two stars, Altair and Vega are the respective equivalents of Hikoboshi and Orihime in the folklore of the Chinese festival. Korea also has its variant, called the Chilseok Festival. In Vietnam, it’s known as the Thất Tịch festival.

Participating in Tanabata as a Visitor

Participating in Tanabata as a Visitor

As a tourist, you can join the fun. Here are a few tips to remember:

  • Don’t miss the fireworks display typically held on the night before the main event

  • Arrive early to the festival and secure a favorable viewing spot

  • At the venue, ask for the designated area for bamboo trees (use the words “Bamboo” or “sasa”)

  • Use a brush and some ink to write your wishes on small pieces of colored paper and hang them the branches

  • Inscribe respectful wishes related to your genuine hopes and aspirations

  • Wear appropriate clothes for the summer event, such as a lightweight yukata

  • Stay hydrated at all times

Cultural Significance of Tanabata Today

Cultural Significance of Tanabata Today

The Star Festival is an event that celebrates ancient legends but promotes core values of modern Japanese culture. It serves as a reminder of the power of love, thanks to the lessons in its folklore. Tanabata also promotes hope by encouraging people to write their wishes, thus bringing them to life. Most importantly, the festivities, events, and performances that take place across the country encourage community bonding.

Planning Your Visit to a Tanabata Festival in 2025

Planning Your Visit to a Tanabata Festival in 2025

July and August are the best times to visit Japan if you want to enjoy the festival. However, your exact visiting date will depend on what festivals you want to attend. In 2025, a few star matsuri will start on July 7, while others will commence on August 25. It’s best to travel 2-3 days before the event begins.

Remember to pack light clothing, hats, sunscreen, and comfortable footwear. Also, don’t forget to book your accommodation before you arrive in Japan. Hotels and ryokans close to the venue are the best places to stay during your stay, but they run out of rooms quickly, as the event is a major tourist attraction.

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