🎋 A Complete Guide to the Sendai Tanabata Festival (Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai City)

Today, I'd like to take you on a journey through one of Tohoku's most romantic and colorful summer traditions— the Sendai Tanabata Matsuri . Every early August, the streets of Sendai are adorned with tens of thousands of colorful bamboo ornaments, swaying in the wind like a dreamy starry sky descending upon the world. This festival is not only one of Japan's three major Tanabata festivals but also a representative cultural event of Sendai, attracting millions of visitors.

📜 The origin and history of Tanabata Festival

Tanabata originated from the Chinese legend of "Cowherd and Weaver Girl", which was introduced to Japan during the Nara period and integrated with the local custom of "begging for skills", gradually developing into Japan's unique Tanabata culture. 🌠

In Sendai, the origins of the Tanabata Festival are closely tied to Date Masamune . It's said he promoted the festival during the Edo period to promote culture and encourage prayers among the people, and it has since become a Sendai tradition. Unlike other Japanese festivals held on July 7th, the Sendai Tanabata Festival follows the traditional calendar and is held annually from August 6th to 8th , coinciding with the summer festival season.

The editor thinks this is particularly thoughtful, because the Sendai Tanabata Festival not only preserves the ancient customs, but also allows tourists to participate in it during the busiest time of summer.

⏰ Time and location

• Time : August 6th to 8th every year (three days in total)
• Location : Sendai City Center Shopping Street (Chuo-dori, Ichibancho-dori, etc.), and around Kotodai Park

On the eve of the festival (August 5th), a fireworks display will be held, with thousands of fireworks lighting up the summer night and marking the beginning of the Tanabata Festival. 🎆

🎐 The charm of Tanabata decorations

The most representative thing about the Sendai Tanabata Festival is the strings of Tanabata decorations hanging high on bamboo poles.

• The scale is astonishing : every year, more than 3,000 sets of Tanabata bamboo decorations are hung under the ceilings of the arcades in the shopping street.
• Length : The colorful decorations hang down from the sidewalk for several meters, making walking through them feel like walking through a dreamy colorful tunnel.
• Exquisite materials are used : all are handmade from Japanese paper and bamboo, and each set is created with great effort by local shops or schools.
• The designs are diverse : there are traditional patterns, modern creativity, and even anime or pop elements.

When I saw it with my own eyes, I really had the illusion that "stars had fallen to earth". The colorful and spectacular scene made it a must-see destination! 📸✨

✨ Seven traditional Tanabata ornaments

The decorations at the Sendai Tanabata Festival are not only beautiful, but also have their own meanings:

1. Tanzaku : Write down your wishes and pray for them to come true.
2. Paper clothes（かみごろも） ：Pray for health and disease-free👘
3. Orizuru : A symbol of longevity and peace🕊️
4. Casting a net (とあみ) : Praying for a good harvest and a prosperous fishing industry🎣
5. Scarf (きんちゃく) : Symbolizes wealth and thrift💰
6. Scrap cage (くずかご) : symbolizes cleanliness and thriftiness🧺
7. Fukinagashi : A symbol of the weaving girl's silk thread, praying for advancement in skills.

I particularly like the short booklet area, where I can see children of all ages writing down all sorts of cute wishes. Some pray for passing their exams, some hope for a smooth relationship, and some even write "I hope to go to Disneyland" 😂. It's super fun.

🎶 Festival activities and atmosphere

In addition to the Tanabata decorations, the Sendai Tanabata Festival also has a variety of activities:

• Stage performances : Kotodai Park has a stage where traditional dances, taiko drum performances, chorus performances, and more are held.
• Traditional craft display : You can see the production process of Japanese paper and bamboo art, and even experience it yourself.
• Tanabata Market : Street vendors selling takoyaki, fried noodles, beef tongue skewers (Sendai specialty), shaved ice, etc. 🍧
• Tanabata Parade : Children in yukata and dancers walk the streets, adding to the festive atmosphere.

I think the most romantic moment is walking through the colorfully decorated arcades, with music playing and everyone smiling and taking photos. The whole city is immersed in a dreamy atmosphere. 💖

🍖 Must-try Qixi Festival delicacies

When you come to Sendai for the Tanabata Festival, how can you miss the local delicacies?

• Sendai beef tongue (thick cut and juicy, a must-try!)🥩
• Sasakamaboko (bamboo leaf fish cake, chewy and delicious)🐟
• Zundaburi (a representative dessert from Northeast China, with green filling made from edamame)🍡
• Cold noodles and beer (the best combination in summer)🍺

The editor highly recommends "beef tongue with beer", it's so blissful to eat while walking around!

🗺️ Transportation and sightseeing suggestions

• transportation :
  • It takes about 1.5 hours from Tokyo to Sendai Station by Tohoku Shinkansen, and the venue is within walking distance.
  • The festival is very crowded, so it is recommended to arrive early and book accommodation.
• Tips for viewing :
  1. Don't miss the fireworks display on the eve of the festival!
  2. Visit different streets, as each one has a different decorative style.
  3. It is recommended to wear a yukata to participate, which will create a more atmospheric atmosphere.
  4. It's a little cool at night, so it would be more comfortable to bring a light jacket.

💡 Editor's Note

The Sendai Tanabata Festival strikes me as a fusion of fantasy and human touch. The dazzling displays under the sunlight during the daytime, combined with the added romantic charm of the illuminated lights at night, offer less of the dramatic spectacle of the Nebuta Festival or Kanto Festival, but its gentle, colorful, and romantic charm captivates everyone.

I think the charm of Sendai Tanabata Festival is that it makes people stop and look up, as if they can really touch the Milky Way of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. 🌌💫

If you want to experience the "most romantic summer festival" in Japan, Sendai Tanabata Festival is definitely the first choice. 💖