Tanabata in Tokyo: 7 Events to Enjoy the Star Festival 2024

Tanabata, Japan's Star Festival

In early July or August, Tanabata, or the Star Festival, is celebrated around Japan. Although festival traditions vary across the country, everyone knows the legend behind the celebration.

Tanabata refers to the romantic tale of two stars, Orihime and Hikoboshi, that fell in love and were separated by the Milky Way, only able to see one another on the seventh day of the seventh month when a bridge across the Milky Way is built for the separated lovers.

This story is beloved across Japan, so there are numerous Tanabata festivals held around July 7 or August 7, depending on whether the region is using the Gregorian or Lunar calendar, respectively.

Read on to learn about seven of the most popular Tanabata events around Tokyo, along with their festival dates and access information!

7 Exciting Tanabata Events around Tokyo

1. Asakusa Shitamachi Tanabata Festival (July 6 - 7, 2024)
2. Tanabata Yukata Festival in Nihonbashi (July 7, 2024)
3. Asagaya Tanabata Festival (August 7 - 12, 2024)
4. Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival in Kanagawa (July 5 - 7, 2024)
5. Mobara Tanabata Festival in Chiba (July 27 - 28, 2024)
6. Irumagawa Tanabata Festival (August 3 - 4, 2024)
7. Mito Komon Festival (July 27 and August 3 - 4, 2024)

1. Asakusa Shitamachi Tanabata Festival in Tokyo

The area from Asakusa to Ueno is commonly known as the shitamachi, a sort of historical downtown where you'll find many independent shops and small production factories for different traditional items.

The Shitamachi Tanabata Festival takes place along Asakusa's Kappabashi Street and the surrounding area. Here, you can enjoy brightly colored displays, snack on great festival foods, and watch firework displays with Tokyo Skytree in the background!

In addition to the parades and performances in this festival, it's also a great place to pick up Japanese traditional handicrafts.

Shitamachi Tanabata Festival
Address: Tokyo, Taito, Matsugaya 1-4 (in the Kappabashi area)
Dates: main events July 6 - 7, 2024, the Tanabata decorations can be enjoyed July 4 - 8
Nearest Station: Tawaramachi Station, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
Access: 5-minute walk from Tawaramachi Station
Website: Shitamachi Tanabata Festival (Japanese)

2. Tanabata Yukata Festival in Nihonbashi

The Tanabata Yukata Festival in Nihonbashi will be held at the large roof plaza of COREDO Nihonbashi Terrace.

This event was born out of the desire to preserve Japanese cultures like wearing yukata in the summer and writing one's wishes on tanzaku (strips of paper) to offer them to the stars during Tanabata.

The organizers collaborate with companies and organizations involved in space projects and the entertainment industry to present a variety of shows that can be enjoyed free of charge.

In addition to early summer festival stalls and stages for bon odori dances where you can join in the dance, please come and have fun in yukata (light summer kimonos) or jinbei (casual Japanese summer clothing worn as loungewear) at this opportunity!

Tanabata Yukata Matsuri in Nihonbashi
Venue: COREDO Muromachi Terrace Grand Roof Plaza
Address: Tokyo, Chuo, Nihonbashimuromachi 3 Chome-2-1 Map
Date: July 7, 11:00 - 19:30 *Bon odori dance: from 15:30 onwards, Tanabata Tanzaku Decoration Exhibition: July 5 - 7
Access: 1-minute walk from JR Shin-Nihonbashi Station (JR Sobu Line), Mitsukoshimae Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line)
Website: https://tafs-tym.localinfo.jp/

3. Asagaya Tanabata Festival in Tokyo

Picture from Asagaya Tanabata Festival website

Located 8 minutes by train from Shinjuku Station, Asagaya has a distinctly old Tokyo feel to it, and is known for its friendly, residential atmosphere.

During the Asagaya Tanabata Festival, huge papier-mâché characters decorate the shopping streets within the Asagaya Pearl Center Shotengai (shopping street). These characters and other decorations are all made by the locals, so here you can really feel the hometown pride of the area.

As it's located in a shotengai, there are plenty of other exciting things to see and do here as well.

Asagaya Tanabata Festival
Address: Tokyo, Suginami, Asagaya Minami 1-35-18
Dates: August 7 - 12, 2024
Nearest Station: Asagaya Station (JR Chuo Line)
Access: the Asagaya Pearl Center is in front of Asagaya Station's South Exit
Website: Asagaya Tanabata Festival (Japanese)

4. Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival in Kanagawa

Picture from Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival Site

Visited by over 1,700,000 people each year, the Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival is one of the largest in the Kanto region.

Although typically a peaceful beach resort, the Shonan area in Kanagawa really comes to life in the summer, with plenty of events, street vendors, stunning decorations, and displays to wow visitors.

Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival
Dates: July 5 - 7, 2024
Address: Kanagawa, Hiratsuka, Akashicho
Nearest Station: Hiratsuka Station (JR Tokai Line)
Access: In front of North Exit of Hiratsuka Station
Website: Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival (Japanese)

5. Mobara Tanabata Festival in Chiba

Picture from Mobara Tanabata Festival Site

Another large-scale Tanabata Festival held near Tokyo is Mobara Tanabata Festival, which is visited by more than 800,000 people every year.

Not only are there impressive decorations and numerous street stalls to see, but there's also a parade of dancers performing Mobara Awa Odori, a festive dance featuring gorgeous costumes.

Mobara Tanabata Festival
Address: Chiba, Mobara
Dates: July 27 - 28, 2024
Nearest Station: Mobara Station (Keio or Sobu lines)
Access: Around the South Exit of Mobara Station
Website: Mobara Tanabata Festival (Japanese)

6. Irumagawa Tanabata Festival in Saitama

Picture from Irumagawa Tanabata Festival Site

Although it lasts only two days, the Irumagawa Tanabata Festival is still one of the largest events of its kind in eastern Japan; it sees about 400,000 visitors each year.

Near Irumagawa River runs Tanabata Street, where crowds of people gather to enjoy different Japanese festival foods, and to watch the spectacular firework displays over the water.

Irumagawa Tanabata Festival
Address: Saitama, Sayama, Irumagawa 1-1-1
Dates: August 3 - 4, 2024
Nearest Station: Sayamashi Station (Seibu-Shinjuku Line)
Access: Tanabata Street Arcade from West Exit of Sayamashi Station
Website: Irumagawa Tanabata Festival (Japanese)

7. Mito Komon Festival in Ibaraki

Photos by Pixta
Mito Komon is the nickname of Tokugawa Mitsukuni (1628-1701), a feudal lord that was highly influential in the politics of early Edo-period Japan. He governed over the Mito Domain, the former name of present-day Mito City in Ibaraki.

The Mito Komon Festival is usually held in July, coinciding with the Star Festival. During the event, around 4,500 fireworks are being released over Lake Senba. A portable shrine parade is held in the city, with around ten gorgeous festival floats participating.

It's a festival that allows visitors to experience the traditional culture of Mito and feel its rich history.

Mito Komon Festival
Address: Ibaraki, Mito, Lake Senba area
Dates: Mito Kairakuen Fireworks Festival: July 27, 2024
Main festival, and Mito Komon Lantern Parade: August 3 - 4, 2024
Nearest Station: Mito Station
Website: Mito Komon Festival (Japanese)

Enjoy Tanabata, the Star Festival in Japan!

Whether traveling alone or with friends or family, Tanabata festivals are an excellent way to experience Japanese culture firsthand, so if you happen to be traveling in July or August, make sure to stop by one of these exciting events. You won't regret it!

Main image by Pixta