Best Tanabata Events around Tokyo 2025
Tanabata (Star Festival) Celebration: Large Decorations, Colorful Lanterns
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One of the best event that take place throughout Japan in July is the Tanabata, a cultural and historical event that is celebrated annually on the 7th of July. It’s a traditional festival that features large decorations of paper streamers and colorful lanterns. It is celebrated differently depending on the area, but in general, it is about wishing in colorful strips of paper and hanging them on the bamboo branches.
Let’s take a brief look at the Tanabata in Japan and the story of the Tanabata.
What is Tanabata in Japan?
Tanabata or also known as the Star Festival like a mention above it is annually celebrated on the 7th of July or August, depending on the area that follows the lunar calendar. It is a romantic story originating in China about the two lovers, Orihime, the princess, and Hikoboshi, the cowherd. They fell deeply in love with each other and neglected their duties, which reason why the King (the princess’s Father) got mad and his anger, he separated the two lovers. However, as a father, seeing his daughter’s loneliness also breaks his heart, so he decided to let them meet once a year on the 7th day of July.
In Japan, the Tanabata is celebrated by writing wishes on colorful paper strips and hanging them on bamboo branches, which are often seen in malls, parks, and some establishment events. However, some places in Japan celebrate the Tanabata differently and make it an annual festival or traditional celebration of Tanabata.
Here are some popular events of Tanabata in Tokyo and some related celebrations of Tanabata.
Best Tanabata Events in and around Tokyo
1. Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival
© 2016 Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival
The Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival is one of the three largest Tanabata festivals in the Kanto area. Featuring more than 100 large Tanabata decorations along with the performances, the Tanabata Odori Parade, and plenty of shops, food to enjoy in the shopping arcade.
Event Period: July 4 to 6, 2025
Location: Hiratsuka City, Hiratsuka Station
Website: http://www.tanabata-hiratsuka.com/
2. Zojoji Tanabata Festival
The Zojoji Tanabata Festival is one of the unique celebrations of Tanabata, featuring a candle line that illuminates and decorates like the Milky Way, providing a lovely view alongside the Tokyo Tower.
Event Period: July 7, 2025
Location: Zojoji Temple, Tokyo
Website: https://www.zojoji.or.jp/news/239.html
3. Shitamachi Tanabata Festival
The Shitamachi Tanabata Festival is one of the well-known Tanabata celebrations in Tokyo, which is annually held in the Asakusa area and Kappabashi Hondori. The streets are filled with colorful decorations of Tanabata, such as large streamers and ribbons along the streets. Full of activities to enjoy, like performances, parades, and the traditional way of celebration, Tanabata, like writing wishes.
Event Period: July 5-6, 2025
Location: Asakusa area, Kappabashi Hondori (Showa-dori to Kokusai dori)
Website: https://shitamachi-tanabata.com/
4. Tokyo Tower Milky Way Illumination
The Tokyo Tower Milky Way Illumination is an annual summer celebration held in Tokyo Tower that also celebrates and is inspired by the Tanabata event. A breathtaking view from the top and experience the magical Milky Way illumination. Perfect place to bring your loved ones and enjoy the romantic atmosphere.
Event Period: June 12 to September 23, 2025
Location: Tokyo Tower
Website: https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/
5. Star Festival in the Sky
The Star Festival in the Sky is a summer and Tanabata event held in Tokyo City View, a unique celebration of summer to enjoy various activities. Enjoy the magical view from the top, and celebrate the legendary romantic event of the two lovers in Tanabata.
Event Period: June 20 to September 7, 2025
Location: Tokyo City View
Website: https://tcv.roppongihills.com/jp/index.html
6. Mignon Fuwafuwa Matsuri
The Mignon Fuwafuwa festival is an annual event inspired by a Tanabata theme held in Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo. It features the Japanese characters fuwafuwa and Mignon characters, giving the magical celebration of Tanabata, which covers cute and colorful decorations and displays. The glittery lights that look like the Milky Way illumination in the sky, along with various fun activities to enjoy with the whole family.
Event Period: June 6 to July 7, 2025
Location: Sanrio Puroland
Website: https://www.puroland.jp/event-campaign/2025_mignon/
7. Yokohama Tanabata Festival 2025
The Yokohama Tanabata Festival is being held for the first time in Yokohama. It features the sky lanterns that light up in the sky, a unique way of celebrating Tanabata. There are also a lot of fun activities to enjoy, such as the Tower Illumination inspired by the Tanabata, workshops, photo services, and food stalls.
Event Period: July 5-6, 2025
Location: Yamashita Park
Website: https://yokohama-tanabata.com/
Thank you for reading! For more information about summer events around Tokyo, please check out following articles, too!
Written by
Greetings to all mommies I am a supermom from Philippines. Previously, I worked and lived in Dubai for seven years, until 2015 the year I moved in Japan. Currently, I am happily settled here with my Japanese husband and our 7 months old baby. I could only describe my almost 6 years of living here as a roller coaster ride more so, after I gave birth to my son. Japan had changed me in ways unimaginable. It has influence my lifestyle, my perceptions and beliefs. I was able to witness firsthand the pros and cons of living in the country. From their language, culture and ethnicity, the people, place and in work. Those years were enough to give me quite personal and memorable experiences which I would be more than delighted to share with you.
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