Shitamachi Tanabata Festival (July 8,9)
On July 7 people celebrate Tanabata Festival in Japan. In Asakusa they hold Shitamachi Tanabata Festival on the weekend after July 7. The town is adorned with many colorful streamers and ornaments and there are many street stands and events.
What is Tanabata Festival?
This festival is based on legend of young couples in the heaven. They used to be diligent. However, once they fell in love at first glance they neglected their duties. The master of heaven got angry and allowed them to meet only on July 7.
People believe their wish will also come true on that day and then, write their wish on slips of paper and hang on the streamers or bamboo trees.
In Asakusa they also celebrate Tanabata Festival on the weekend around July 7. This area is often referred as Shitamachi in Japanese which means downtown. During this Festival there are a lot of street stands run by local neighborhood. Also, during two days they hold a special performance like traditional folk dancing from other areas of Japan.
Japanese traditional folk dancers from Toyama prefecture.
