Let’s celebrate Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival
Hiratsuka City (平塚市 Hiratsuka-shi) is a wonderful coastal city located in the southern part of Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県 Kanagawa-ken), located just less than an hour by train from Tokyo. This city is best known for its culture and greenery with many popular attractions such as the Hiratsuka City Museum of Art, Hiratsuka Hachimangu Shrine, and Hiratsuka Kanagawa Garden. As with many other parts of Japan, festivals are also a big part of Hiratsuka City and it is host to one of the top three Tanabata Festivals in the Kanto Region (関東地方 Kanto-chihō) of Japan—the Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Matsuri (湘南ひらつか七夕まつり).
What is Tanabata?
Tanabata (七夕) is one of Japan’s major traditional event celebrated every July. Also known as the Star Festival (星祭り hoshi matsuri), this festival is said to have originated from the Chinese Qixi Festival, famously based on the legend of two lovers represented by the stars Altair (彦星 Hikoboshi) and Vega (織姫 Orihime).
(Image credit: 平塚市観光協会)
In the tale, a weaver princess named Orihime and a cow-herder named Hikoboshi fell in love. Distracted by their romance, the two started to neglect their duties—Orihime stopped weaving and Hikoboshi’s cows were left to wander.
This angered Orihime’s father, the Sky King or Emperor of Heaven (天帝 Tentei), who then separates the two by widening the Milky Way. It wasn’t until Orihime’s father started to feel remorseful that the two are allowed to meet annually on the seventh day of the seventh month, as long as Orihime continues her beautiful weaving. That is the date that Tanabata is celebrated on.
Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Matsuri
(Image credit: Kanagawa Prefectural Government)
Every July, Hiratsuka City comes to life with magnificent Tanabata decorations and festive atmosphere. With 2022 being its 70th year, this festival is expected to attract around 1.7m visitors over the three days of the festival. The vividly-coloured festival will centre around the shopping street on the north side of Hiratsuka Station (平塚駅 Hiratsuka-eki). The main festival takes place around the centre of the town with 500 glorious bamboo decorations lined around the town. Of the many decorations there, you can find some giant ones reaching over an impressive 10m in length. Trendy decorations of famous athletes, popular animals, characters, and such are also a big feature.
(Image credit: 平塚市観光協会)
In addition to enjoying the various decorations and exciting parades, there are plenty of other activities you can enjoy and participate in. If walking around has made you hungry, this festival is also famous for its vast amount of food stalls. Prior to COVID-19, over 400 stalls offering Shonan delicacies and various other items were set up. However this year, there will be no food stalls available. Fret not—you can still enjoy local Kanagawa gourmet at the various restaurants in the area. There are also workshops, family-friendly activities and even a space to experience Tanabata via projection mapping. During this period, the “Shonan Hiratsuka Princess Orihime Selection” beauty pageant is also held.
(Image credit: 平塚市観光協会)
In the evening the decorations are illuminated, creating an even more beautiful, memorable scene. You can adorn your summer yukata (浴衣) and indulge in delicious street food, because Tanabata only comes once a year.
Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Matsuri (湘南ひらつか七夕まつり)
Venue: Hiratsuka Station North Exit Shopping District
Date: 8–10 July
Operating hours: Ends at 7pm (end at 5pm on the last day)
Nearest station: Hiratsuka Station (平塚駅)
Access: 2-minute walk from the North Exit of the station
How you can celebrate Tanabata
(Image credit: Patrick Vierthaler / CC BY-NC 2.0)
Customs on Tanabata may vary slightly from region to region, but the biggest commonality shared regardless of location is the tradition of writing your wishes on a tanzaku (短冊 special strips of paper), and hanging it or tie it onto bamboo branches and leaves
(Image credit: JAPAN RAIL CAFE)
If you would like to write your wishes on a tanzaku, head down to JAPAN RAIL CAFE this month to share your wishes and hang them onto bamboo branches! You will also be able to receive a special Tanabata pen courtesy of Kanagawa Prefectural Government. Limited quantities will be available. You can also celebrate Tanabata at JAPAN RAIL CAFE on 19 July 2022 (Tuesday) at 6:30pm Singapore Time, so don’t miss out on this chance to celebrate Tanabata with us!
Date: 19 July 2022 (Tuesday)
Time: 6:30pm (Singapore Time)
Venue: JAPAN RAIL CAFE
Header image credit: Kanagawa Prefectural Government
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