Hamanmachi Tanabata Festival (Hamanomachi Arcade)

A seasonal event held around July 7 in the Hamanomachi Arcade, Nagasaki's main shopping district. Bamboo, wish-strips, and writing materials are set up inside the arcade so shoppers and tourists can write and hang their wishes. Rows of colorful strips bring a cool splash of color to the covered street during the rainy season, heralding the arrival of summer. Amid the bustle of Nagasaki's busiest shopping area, visitors of all ages can casually soak up the Tanabata spirit, combining it with shopping and dining at the many surrounding shops and restaurants—a downtown Tanabata decoration event.