Tenpyo Tanabata Festival (Heijo-kyo Tenpyo Festival, Summer)

Held at the World Heritage Heijo Palace Site, the Tenpyo Tanabata Festival (Heijo-kyo Tenpyo Festival, Summer) fills the vast grounds of the Nara-period capital with a magical display of light. Inspired by the idea that Tanabata was already observed in the Nara period, it stages large light objects, illuminations, and a 'Tokakai' candle display of countless flames around the restored Suzakumon Gate and open fields. A procession of people in Tenpyo-era costume, stage events, and a market let visitors enjoy a summer night while imagining the ancient capital, wrapped in starlight and historical romance.