It commemorates the legend of two star-crossed lovers: Princess Orihime and Hikoboshi, represented by the stars Vega and Altair. 

According to legend, Orihime was a skilled weaver who worked by the heavenly river Amanogawa (the Milky Way). She became lonely because of her dedication to weaving, so her father arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi, a cow herder on the other side of the river. The two instantly fell in love, married, and became so devoted to each other that Orihime stopped weaving and Hikoboshi neglected his duties. Angered, her father forbade them from seeing each other, except once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month. 

Their annual reunion depends on the river’s conditions. If it’s too stormy, they can’t cross — unless a flock of magpies forms a bridge. If it rains on Tanabata, it’s said the magpies won’t come, and the lovers must wait another year. 

Celebrating Tanabata 

Tanabata celebrations vary by region. In most of Japan, it’s celebrated on July 7, but some regions — especially in northeastern Japan — follow the lunar calendar, placing the celebration around August 7. 

Regardless of which date it falls on, you’ll find colorful festivals celebrating across Japan. 

The biggest ones are Kanagawa’s Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival in July and the Sendai Tanabata Festival held in Sendai City from the sixth to eighth of August. Sendai’s is the most famous Tanabata festival in all of Japan. 

Wherever you go to celebrate, you’ll find festivities and holiday customs all around. 

Tanabata Traditions and Decorations 

At festivals throughout the country, you’ll see many vibrant decorations celebrating the season. 

The most iconic custom is writing wishes on colorful slips of paper called tanzaku and hanging them on bamboo branches. The five traditional tanzaku colors — blue (or green), red, yellow, black (or purple), and white — each represent the five elements of Chinese philosophy: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. These wishes are often burned or floated down rivers the following day as an offering to the gods. 

Other decorations include orizuru paper cranes, symbolizing longevity and your family’s health and safety, toami origami fish nets symbolizing prosperous harvest, and kuzokago, or paper garbage cans representing cleanliness. 

The festivals also feature traditional music, games, parades, and sometimes fireworks. 

Each region may incorporate unique customs into its Tanabata festivities, so no two are exactly alike! 

Tanabata Foods 

As with many Japanese festivals, food is a major highlight of Tanabata. Here are some festive favorites you’re likely to find: 

1. Yakitori: Skewered grilled chicken, often seasoned either with shio (salt) or tare (a sweet-savory glaze of soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar). Tare-flavored yakitori is reminiscent of teriyaki, sharing a similar sauce base. 
2. Takoyaki: Like yakitori, the “yaki” gives away that this is another (delicious) grilled or pan-fried food. In this case, takoyaki are bite-sized fritters of chopped octopus and a flour batter, cooked in special griddles with little half-spheres to give them their perfect ball shape. Typically topped with tangy sauce, Japanese mayo, bonito flakes, green onion, and seaweed powder.
3. Kakigori: What’s a summer festival without a cooling sweet treat? Kakigori is made from finely shaved ice and flavored with colorful syrups or condensed milk. It’s the Japanese ancestor of Hawaiian shave ice and an essential part of any summer festival.
4. Taiyaki: Another “yaki” grilled food, taiyaki is a fun little sweet, fish-shaped, stuffed “pancake” filled with sweet fillings like like anko (red bean paste), custard, or chocolate. Some are even served with ice cream inside, making them an ideal summer dessert.
5. Somen: Back to the savory foods, somen are light, thin wheat noodles served cold, making them both satisfyingly tasty and refreshing. Somen is served alongside a tsuyu dipping sauce made of dashi, soy, and mirin, often garnished with spring onions and ginger.

Tanabata, like many Japanese seasonal festivals, is a time to reflect, reconnect, and enjoy community — all while indulging in festive foods. Even if you’re not in Japan, you might be able to join a local celebration.

For example, the Seattle Japanese Garden has hosted annual Tanabata events featuring traditional decorations and activities.

And even if you can’t make it out to an official Tanabata event, you can always swing by Uwajimaya if you’re in the neighborhood for some festive treats instead!