Tanabata is an ancient tradition. People think that it originated from a story about a romance between Princess Orihime and the cowherd Hikoboshi. Tanabata, or the Star Festival, is famous in Japan. During this festival, the Japanese write poems or wishes on coloured paper and hang them on bamboo. These papers are called Tanzaku. Other decorations are also made, such as paper ribbon garlands and symbols of the galaxy. The Tanabata festival is usually held on July 7 and in some places on August 7.
Sendai City is popular for its Tanabata celebration. The largest Tanabata festival in Japan is held in this city. I saw a different aspect of Sendai City after a couple of days in Japan, and the different aspect was the incredible beauty that filled the entire city. This is the most beautiful celebration I have ever seen, and I have also never seen so many festive decorations. This time, Sendai City is decorated with a whole new look using colourful craft paper, which covers the shops and roads. Temporary cuisine and toy shops are available at this festival. Everything becomes lovely with the footsteps of visitors from far away, Japanese people stroll in shopping malls and restaurants, and they wear traditional clothes. For this reason, there are a lot of crowds in these places, and there are also discounts in shops and restaurants.
In Sendai City, the Tanabata festival is celebrated from August 6 to 8, a month later than the rest of Japan. A fireworks display is held just behind Nishi Koen Park along the Hirose River on August 5. The special attraction of the festival is ‘Hanabi,’ or fireworks. The fireworks display goes on for 2 hours in the evening of the event, filling the sky with light. With thunderous fireworks, young and old celebrate with shouts and cheers. Everyone’s heart is filled with such a sudden change in the quiet towns of the quiet country.
How to travel from Tokyo to Sendai City to enjoy this famous Tanabata festival:
From Tokyo, the best ways are bullet trains, airplanes, and highway buses. It takes 30 minutes to reach Tohoku Shinkansen Sendai Station from Tokyo by train. You can take many buses throughout the day via highway bus, which often takes around six hours depending on traffic. Airplanes are the fastest way to arrive in Sendai within one hour, but they are also the most expensive.