Sendai's Tanabata Festival, one of Tohoku's three famous summer festivals, runs from August 6th-8th. The main attractions are the covered shopping arcades that are decorated with hundreds and hundreds of paper kushidama that hang from bamboo poles and cascade toward the ground in a swirling mess of color. Everything from anime characters to paper cranes to carefully crafted washi paper flowers decorate the streamers, which run for nearly 2 kilometers through the center of the city. The route begins just minutes from JR Sendai Station, though you'll find numerous other decorations scattered throughout the city itself.
- 1 min read
Sendai's Tanabata Festival 2014
A visual tour of Sendai's Star Festival
By Mandy Bartok
Community writer
Explore nearby
Join the discussion
Justin Velgus
9 years ago
As a Sendai local I wanted to remind readers of two points. First, Tanabata happens throughout Japan around July 7th, but, as you noted, August 6th to 8th in Sendai. Second, Sendai's Tanabata is the most famous but won't find many concerts, parades, or the traditional festival atmosphere. For that you should come see the Aoba Festival. The Tanabata Festival mostly consists of these very beautiful decorations found in the liveliest part of the shopping arcades.
Jeradyne Cheong
9 years ago
So colourful!
This is one of my favorite Japanese festivals. I am so glad I made it to Sendai to see it!
3 comments in total
Book your trip
Find a nearby hotel
Explore some of the best nearby hotels and deals for the perfect place to stay in Japan.
Top Articles
-
1
Kura Sushi at 2025 Osaka Expo
Osaka - Sponsored -
2
Princess Adachi Festival
Tokyo - Sponsored -
3
Miyoko Schinner’s Vegan Japan Tour
Culture -
4
Luxury Food and Art Experiences in Tokyo
Tokyo - Sponsored -
5
Bar-Hopping & Seafood in Akashi City
Hyogo - Sponsored -
6
Izumigaya Craft Inn Waraku
Shizuoka - Sponsored -
7
Akashi City Gastronomy Event
Hyogo - Sponsored -
8
TeamLab: Hidden Traces of Rice Terraces
Ibaraki -
9
Hiking Around Azuchi Castle Ruins
Shiga -
10
Exploring Kanazawa with Free, Easy Wi-Fi
Ishikawa
-
1
Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan
Planning -
2
Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo
Tokyo -
3
The Ultimate Guide to Thrifting in Tokyo
Shopping -
4
Tokyo Christmas Market
Tokyo -
5
Nabana no Sato Illumination
Mie -
6
Japanese Urban Legends
Culture -
7
A Guide to Japanese Visas
Planning -
8
Daikoku Car Meet
Kanagawa -
9
Tokushima Yokai Festival
Tokushima -
10
Tokyo Auto Salon
Chiba