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Sendai Tanabata Festival

It is one of the three major festivals in Tohoku that has continued for over 400 years that known affectionately as "Tanabata-san" by the locals.

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The Sendai Tanabata Festival is when the shopping streets of central Sendai and the surrounding area are decorated with colorful Tanabata decorations. It is affectionately known as "Tanabata-san" by the locals. It is held for three days from August 6 to 8, around July 7 of the lunar calendar. It is a traditional event that has continued for over 400 years. About 2 million people from home and abroad visit this festival every year.

The highlight of the Sendai Tanabata Festival is the gorgeous Tanabata decorations displayed in the arcades around Sendai Station. Giant bamboo over 10 meters high, cut from the mountains, is decorated with "Nanatsu Kazari" decorations made of Japanese paper, which are newly handmade yearly. The delicate Japanese paper decorations fluttering in the wind make us feel cool in the hot summer.

Each of the "Nanatsu kazari" (seven decorations) has a different wish: the tanzaku for further improvement in academics and Japanese calligraphy, the paper garments for good health and progress in sewing, the origami cranes for family safety and longevity, kinchaku for prosperity in business, cast nets for a good catch and harvest, the kuzukago for cleanliness and thrift, and the blow streams representing the weaving thread of the Princess Orihime, it could be fun to find the one that best suits your wish.

Suppose you want to see gorgeous Tanabata decorations. In that case, you must go to Chuo-Dori and Ichibancho-Dori in front of Sendai Station in the city center area. However, you can also see simple and tasteful old-fashioned Tanabata decorations in the shopping streets in the surrounding areas.

Highlights

  • This is a traditional event with a history of more than 400 years and is affectionately called "Tanabata-san" by the locals.
  • For three days, from August 6 to 8, the streets of Sendai are decorated with Tanabata decorations.
  • The city is decorated with Tanabata decorations made of Japanese paper on bamboo over 10 meters long. The town is filled with a festive mood.
  • Each small item, called "Nanatsukazari," is decorated with a wish.
  • In addition to the gorgeous Tanabata decorations in the city's center, be sure to visit the traditional Tanabata decorations in the surrounding areas.

Videos

Photos

  • The arcade area is decorated with colorful Tanabata decorations.
© SENDAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

    The arcade area is decorated with colorful Tanabata decorations. © SENDAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

  • Tanabata decorations are newly handmade every year.
© SENDAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

    Tanabata decorations are newly handmade every year. © SENDAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

  • Encounter photogenic landscapes.
© SENDAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

    Encounter photogenic landscapes. © SENDAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

  • The delicate Washi paper decorations fluttering in the wind are also beautiful.
© SENDAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

    The delicate Washi paper decorations fluttering in the wind are also beautiful. © SENDAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

  • Enjoy observing traditional Tanabata decorations.
© SENDAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

    Enjoy observing traditional Tanabata decorations. © SENDAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

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Details

Name in Japanese
仙台七夕まつり
Telephone
022-265-8185
Schedule
August 6 - 8
Access
In front of JR Sendai station
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)