Written by Greg Lane
Tanabata — literally meaning the ‘7th evening’ is a festival celebrated on different dates throughout Japan. The Sendai version, touted as one of the three major summer festivals in the Tōhoku region, is the most famous of them all. It’s so famous that it has become synonymous with Sendai itself.
What happens?
Encompassing the whole city of Sendai, neighborhoods hang colourful decorations paper decorations including handwritten strips of paper containing wishes of good fortune, paper kimonos, paper cranes, paper nets, and streamers.
The last night of the festival sees a major fireworks festival with 16,000 fireworks and 500,000 spectators making it the most popular in the Tōhoku region.
Sendai Tanabata attracts 2 million visitors each year, so if you’re travelling into Sendai, you should make sure you have our accommodation arranged in advance.
Schedule
The festival takes place annually from August 6 to 8.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.Add to Calendar
- 42 m from Sendai Station Tōhoku ShinkansenNamboku Line (N10)Tōzai Line (T7)
- 360 m from Miyagino-dori Station Tōzai Line (T8)
- 0.6 km from Hirose-dōri Station Namboku Line (N9)
