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Jul 7, 2026

How do you celebrate Tanabata?

Do you mark Tanabata? If so, on July 7th or August 7th? Do you do something at home to mark the occasion, be it special food, crafts, storytelling etc? Or maybe you go to a Tanabata Festival at some point during the summer?

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BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

Irish, Mom of 4, currently also living beside the In-Laws. 25+ years back and forth between Ireland and Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com

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5 Answers

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  • helloalissa

    helloalissa

    on Jul 12

    Usually I just attempt origami crafts at my Japanese conversation class, where we hang decorations and tanzaki on sasa every year. A lot of local places have simple decorations like that. I don't know of any festivals or events in Kansai.

    1
  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Jul 7

    When I lived in Tokyo (Fussa area) there was a really fantastic annual Tanabata event each year. I've also been to Sendai once for their Tanabata festival which is just massive and super cool to see. Locally in Niigata I just like to check out local shrines that have decorations up, so it's pretty low key!

    1
  • BigfamJapan

    BigfamJapan

    on Jul 8

    @genkidesu most of the Tanabata festivals around here aren't on Tanabata itself unfortunately. Fukaya's used to be, but they changed it to the weekend after a couple of years ago. But on August 7th our family's shrine of worship, which happens to be the famous Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, have a Tanabata event we used to go to every year, but it's just got too busy so we don't go anymore!

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Jul 8

    @BigfamJapan I have to imagine anywhere in Kawagoe would be super busy these days! I don't think I'd ever go to Sendai for Tanabata again either because I'm sure it would also be packed. Glad I had the opportunity to go before tourism went crazy here!

    1
  • BigfamJapan

    BigfamJapan

    on Jul 13

    @helloalissa that's very interesting. Maybe Tanabata Festivals are a Kanto thing, or just more advertised / famous here.

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