Written by Aarohi Narain
Celebrate Japan’s star festival, Tanabata, in Yokohama.
What to expect
Tanabata is a traditional festival based on a romantic legend where two stars, Orihime and Hikoboshi, are allowed to meet only once a year. The modern embodiment of the festival centers on hope and reunion, and people celebrate by writing their wishes on colorful strips of paper and hanging them on bamboo.
This Yokohama edition promises two luminous nights packed with displays, live performances, and food stalls.
The showstopper? A sky lantern launch where festival-goers write wishes and drawings on lanterns before releasing them into the night sky with music and a countdown. After dark, look out for a Milky Way projection mapping show, plus colorful lighting on the 106m-tall Marine Tower.
There will be food, drinks, and family-friendly workshops to round out the day-to-night festivities — because what’s a Japanese summer matsuri without them?
Pro tip: Also in the area (about an hour away by train), this Tanabata festival is Kantō’s biggest.
Add to Calendar
- 406 m from Motomachi-Chūkagai Station Minatomirai Line (MM6)
- 0.7 km from Nihon-ōdōri Station Minatomirai Line (MM5)
- 1.0 km from Ishikawachō Station Negishi Line (JK4)
