七夕祭り – Tanabata Festival

Today I am making my way to Hiratsuka in Kanagawa to attend the last day of the Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival.  For those who don’t know, Tanabata is a star festival which celebrates the meeting of Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair).

According to legend, Orihime, daughter of the King of Heaven, was a weaver princess who wove beautiful clothes by the bank of the Milky Way.  Her father loved the cloth that she wove and so she worked very hard every day to weave it.  However, Orihime was sad that because of her hard work she could never meet and fall in love with anyone.  Concerned about his daughter, the King arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi, a cow herder prince. When the two met, they fell instantly in love with each other and married shortly thereafter.  However, once married, both neglected their duties.  Orihime no longer would weave cloth for the King and Hikoboshi allowed his cows to stray all over Heaven. Enraged, the King separated the two lovers across the Milky Way and forbade them to meet.  Orihime grieved heavily over the loss of her husband and the King, moved by his daughter’s tears and allowed the two to meet once a year (technically seventh day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar).  Because of the nature of this legend of stars that are usually separated being able to cross the Milky Way, it has become a festival where people make wishes to be granted, and is frequently visited by couples ^_^.

Pretty much everyone got off at the same stop.  The name Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival is quite appropriate; it literally took over the entire city.  Weather-wise it wasn’t too bad considering.  It was hot and occasionally really sunny, but there was the nice (well-appreciated) cool breeze that came through now and then.  There were lots of people, many of the girls dressed in beautiful yukata, and the decorations were really colorful.

I felt bad for anyone trying to drive that day, they closed so many streets and people walked about as they pleased.  There were decorations galore, food stalls and game booths lining all the streets everywhere you looked.  They also had small attractions and performances like an obake mansion (haunted house) and taiko drumming.  I didn’t go into the obake mansion… I’ve learned from experience to avoid those things *shudders*.  I got to listen and watch one of the taiko performances.  It was really cute, because there were a group of kids as part of the performance – and they were really good too!

For 100 yen, you can buy a slip to write a wish on.  I wrote mine in Japanese, even though most of the kanji escaped me @_@.  I wished for the happiness of my family… and for me to get into graduate school >_<.  I’m glad I didn’t eat breakfast before I left.  There were all kinds of good-looking foods.  I ended up buying a bag of really cute Pikachu-shaped castella bread pieces.

I didn’t try the games, but I did buy myself an ear cuff… Just for fun ^_^.  The vendor actually complimented me on my pendant, which just so happens to be a replica from Domoto Koichi’s Endless Shock production.  It started getting really hot and sunny, so I left earlier than planned.  Consequently, I got to ride a nice, non-crowded, air-conditioned train back to Tokyo.

Like most festivals, it was very crowded, so if you are planning on bringing small children, please be careful.  In terms of “main events” there isn’t much to see, but in a way it’s easier to enjoy because you can just roam around freely and take in the sights, smells, and attractions.

The decorations are a big highlight, and many of them are illuminated at night so definitely consider staying for the whole day (or at least a half day starting in the afternoon to evening).  I highly recommend eating at the site as it’s a huge part of the whole festive atmosphere!

Because this takes place in summer, it can be quite hot/bright during the day so please come prepared (although volunteer staff do give you a free uchiwa fan when you get out of the station).

Vital Information:

• Event Website (JAPANESE)

• Free Admission to the event itself (Additional Costs for Food and Special Attractions)

• Somewhat English Friendly

• Accessible via JR Hiratsuka Station