Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival
The Tanabata Festival is held throughout the city, centering on the Hiratsuka Station North Exit shopping street. It is one of the three major Tanabata festivals in Japan and is a large and very popular festival. The main shopping street is lined with food stalls, and the large Tanabata decorations on the arcade are the highlight of the festival. The festival is crowded with many tourists every year. In the evening, the decorations are lit up, creating an even more beautiful and powerful scene. Enjoy the once-a-year Tanabata festival while wearing a yukata and eating food from the food stalls.
Travel tip
Held every July, Tanabata is a vibrant festival celebrating the one annual meeting of two celestial lovers. The bright colours of the decorations around the city and the night-time illuminations are rivaled by the beautiful kimonos worn by visitors.
Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival at night
The Tanabata Festival, which announces the arrival of summer in Shonan, is one of the largest in Japan, along with the Sendai City Tanabata Festival in Miyagi Prefecture. About 500 gorgeous decorations are presented in the center of Hiratsuka, and at night, they are lit up to create a magical atmosphere. A parade and more than 400 stalls—selling a wide variety of things, such as Shonan gourmet foods—make the festival even more exciting.
Essential Information
| Dates |
Early July Dates are yet to be confirmed. Please check official sites before heading to an event. |
|---|---|
| Venue | 465 |
| Hours |
July 7, 2023 (Friday) - July 9 (Sunday) |
| Duration |
1h30m |
| Access | 2 minutes on foot from JR Hiratsuka Station North Exit |
| Language |
|
