The Tanabata Festival (the Star Festival) is celebrated on 7th July in Japan and other East Asian countries.
The Star Festival is based on a Chinese legend on two stars, Vega and Altair. The two stars were in love but lived on different shores of the Milky Way. Their master, the heaven’s lord, allows them to meet just once a year in the evening of 7th July. Praying for this happy dating, people celebrate this romantic festival.
The most popular feature of the festival is decorating bamboo branches with strips of colored paper inscribing their wish, which are celebrated at home, in kindergartens, elementary schools, shops, and etc.
On the other hand, some cities and towns celebrate it in larger scale in which a large number of huge and colorful streamers are displayed along the streets.
Hiratsuka City is one of them which celebrated the festival from 7th to 9th July this year. After the suspension for 3 years caused by Covid 19, it is celebrated at first time since 2019.
Access: Tokyo (local train 0:55) Hiratsuka @
Hiratsuka Station Building and the Bus Terminal
The entrance to the street is a 3 minute-walk from the station. It was car-free during the festival.
Many streamers were displayed along two streets.
Another fun is stalls of foods and drinks.
For example, shaved ice, lemonade, fried noodle
And, of course, beer
Stand of game are also there. Shooting game, toy fishing, balloons, and etc.
Street musicians, too
Please come and enjoy Tanabata next years. It is celebrated on 7th July.
End.