Tanabata in Tokyo: 7 Events to Enjoy the Star Festival 2026

Tanabata, Japan's Star Festival

Every summer, Japan comes alive with Tanabata, the Star Festival. Though regional traditions differ, everyone knows the famous legend that inspired the holiday.

According to myth, Orihime and Hikoboshi are two lovers separated by the Milky Way. They can only reunite once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month, when a bridge is formed across the stars.

This beloved tale inspires vibrant Tanabata festivals nationwide. Celebrations generally fall around July 7 or August 7, depending on whether the local region follows the Gregorian or the lunar calendar.

Discover 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 4 - 5)
2. Asakusa Shrine Natsumoude (June 30 - July 7)
3. Asagaya Tanabata Festival (August 7 - 11)
4. Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival in Kanagawa (July 3 - 5)
5. Mobara Tanabata Festival in Chiba (July 26 - 27)
6. Irumagawa Tanabata Festival (August 1 - 2)
7. Mito Komon Festival (July 25 and August 1 - 2)

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 fireworks 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 4 - 5, 10:00 - 19:00
- 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. Asakusa Shrine's Natsumode Event

While not strictly a Tanabata festival, Asakusa Shrine's Natsumode event directly coincides with the Tanabata Star Festival season.

Natsumode is the summer equivalent to Hatsumode (the traditional first shrine visit of the New Year). Because the end of June marks the exact halfway point of the year, this summer pilgrimage serves as a ritual to pray for health, safety, and good fortune during the remaining six months.

To mark the occasion, many shrines install large, circular straw rings called Chinowa on their grounds. Visitors participate in the Chinowa-kuguri ritual, passing through the ring three times in a specific pattern. This ancient practice is believed to ward off diseases and purify the body—a vital blessing during Japan's hot, humid, and historically sickness-prone rainy season.

Held annually from June 30 to July 7, the Natsumode event transforms the Asakusa Shrine grounds with vibrant Tanabata decorations and a stunning representation of the Milky Way. At night, the entire area is magically illuminated, creating a truly mystical atmosphere.

Visitors can participate in the traditions by writing their wishes on colorful tanzaku (paper strips) to tie to bamboo branches, and even collect exclusive, limited-edition Tanabata goshuin (sacred shrine stamps) available only during the festival.

The event features numerous highlights, including beautiful art installations and a vibrant display of wind chimes. As you explore, please remember that you are on sacred shrine grounds; kindly keep your voice low and respect the peaceful atmosphere.

Asakusa Shrine Natsumoude
Location: Asakusa Shrine (Google Maps)
Dates: June 30 - July 7, 2026
Closest station: Asakusa Station
Website: https://natsumoude.jp/ (Japanese)

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.

The 2026 Asagaya Tanabata Festival marks its milestone 70th edition, reflecting just how deeply cherished this event is by local residents.

Asagaya Tanabata Festival
Location: Asagaya Pearl Center Shopping Street (Tokyo, Suginami, Asagaya Minami 1-35-18)
Dates: August 7 - 11, 2026
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 website

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

Held on the streets near Hiratsuka Station's North Exit, the festival is famous for the 100 spectacular, large-scale Tanabata decorations lining Shonan Star Mall and Beniya Pearl Road.

Visitors can also enjoy a vibrant food scene, featuring roughly 100 street stalls along Tokaido Hondori (between the OK Supermarket and the Machizukuri Foundation intersections), alongside a variety of refreshments sold by local shops right in front of the station.

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 3 - 5, 2026
Event Hours and Venues:
Parade Tanabata Dance: 10:30, July 3 at Shonan Star Mall
Tanabata Citizen Stage: July 3 - 5 at Hirashin Cultural Arts Hall
Event booths by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Division and Hiratsuka Junior Chamber of Commerce: July 3 - 5 at Mitsukedai Park
Festival closing time: 20:00 (19:00 on the final day)
Stalls and booths at Mitsukedai Park: Close one hour before the festival ends
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 26 - 27, 2026
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 the Irumagawa Tanabata Festival website

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.

Crowds gather along Tanabata Street, near the Irumagawa River, to enjoy a variety of traditional Japanese festival foods and watch spectacular fireworks display over the water.

Irumagawa Tanabata Festival
Address: Saitama, Sayama, Irumagawa 1-1-1
Dates: August 1 - 2, 2026
Hours:
12:00 - 21:00 (August 1)
12:00 - 20:00 (August 2)
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 lord Tokugawa Mitsukuni (1628-1701), who 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 25, 2026 (In the event of bad weather, the scheduled fireworks display will be moved to July 26, 2025)
- Main festival and Mito Komon Lantern Parade: August 1 - 2, 2026
Nearest Station: Mito Station
Website: Mito Komon Festival (Japanese)

Enjoy Tanabata, Japan's Star Festival

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