The festival is known for its colorful decorations and events that celebrate the annual tanabata holiday on July 7.
What is tanabata?
Tanabata comes from the story of two star-crossed lovers meeting on the Milk Way every year. It is a time to write your wish on a strip of paper and tie it to some bamboo.
What happens?
Decorations will last a whole week, but there will be parades and performances on the main weekend of the festival.
Schedule
The main events are a parade on Saturday (from 1:15 p.m.) and street performances on Sunday. The parade will include a procession of motorbikes as well as various police troupes. Sunday’s entertainment usually includes street performers, jugglers, and Awa Oori dance troupes. In addition, there will be shamisen and taiko performances.
The parade will take place along Kappabashi Hondōri which runs from next to Asakusa Station to the vicinity of Ueno Station. On the Saturday and Sunday of the festival, it will be a “pedestrian paradise” (closed to regular traffic).
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.- 0.5 km from Tawaramachi Station Ginza Line (G18)
- 0.7 km from Inarichō Station Ginza Line (G17)
- 0.8 km from Iriya Station Hibiya Line (H19)
