It's time to dust off the yukata (summer kimono) as this weekend cities across the country will be celebrating the annual star festival, better known as Tanabata.
As much a staple of the Japanese summer as kakigori (shaved ice) and mugicha (roasted barley tea), Tanabata celebrates the temporary reunion of Orihime and Hikoboshi. The two lovers, separated by the Milky Way, meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month leading Tanabata to traditionally be held around July 7.
Having garnered widespread popularity as far back as the Edo Period (1603-1867), it has become representative of the summer festival season. Locals will get together to decorate the streets with bamboo sticks and colorful paper streamers, before everyone writes their wishes on paper strips.
However, those who want to go larger when it comes to the festival will get their chance at one celebration this weekend.
The Shonan Hiratsuka Star Festival in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, is the second-largest Tanabata festival in the country. Currently in its 63rd year, the city of Hiratsuka will put up some of Kanto's most elaborate decorations, filling several city blocks and drawing huge crowds. Get your fill from the hundreds of food stalls lining the streets.
As for the biggest Tanabata Festival in the country, that will come in August in Sendai. That festival, from Aug. 6-8, is recognized as one of the three major festivals of the Tohoku region. Those celebrations are set to kick off with a fantastic firework display on the evening of Aug. 5.
Tanabata festivals are held across country, dates depend on the region. The Shonan Hiratsuka Star Festival takes place July 5-7 (11 a.m.-8.30 p.m., till 5 p.m. on July 7). For more information, call 0463-35-8107 or visit www.tanabata-hiratsuka.com.