Kansai Tanabata Star Festivals

17 events

17 Tanabata events in Kansai. 10 with 2026 dates, 7 showing the last edition's dates (next dates not yet announced). Featured: Kyo no Tanabata (Kyoto Tanabata Festival).

EndedPick

Aug 2026 (dates vary by venue)

Kyo no Tanabata (Kyoto Tanabata Festival)

Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto

A festival of light held across Kyoto in August for the old-calendar Tanabata. In 2026 it links up with Tanabata events around the city, with dates and programs varying by venue.

Ended

Jun 15 – Jul 7, 2025Last edition

Awashima Shrine Tanabata Festival

Kada, Wakayama City, Wakayama

A Tanabata festival at Awashima Shrine in seaside Kada, famous for its doll memorial rites, where wishes are tied to bamboo at the shrine of dolls and needlework.

Ended

Jun 20 – Jul 7, 2025Last edition

Okage Yokocho Tanabata Sekku

Uji-Nakanokiri-cho, Ise, Mie

The Okage Yokocho district before Ise Jingu's Inner Shrine is decorated with bamboo and wish cards for the Tanabata season, bringing a cool summer mood to the Edo-style streets.

Ended

Jun 24 – Jul 7, 2025Last edition

Konan Nigiwai Tanabata Festa

Higashinada Ward, Kobe, Hyogo

A Tanabata festa decorating the Konan-Hondori shopping street in Kobe's Higashinada with bamboo, where shoppers tie wish cards to large bamboo branches.

Ended

Jul 5 – Jul 7, 2025Last edition

Sumiyoshi Taisha Tanabata Festival

Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka

A Tanabata night event at the head shrine of all Sumiyoshi shrines, with special openings of normally closed halls and gardens lit by illuminations and projection mapping.

Ended

Jul 5, 2025Last edition

Samegai Trout Farm Tanabata Festival

Maibara, Shiga

A Tanabata event at a historic trout farm along the Jizo River, said to be a source of the 'Milky Way'; large bamboo for wishes plus kids' fish-catching and feeding experiences.

Sponsored

Ended

Jul 7, 2025Last edition

Yakawa Shrine Tanabata Festival

Konan-cho, Koka, Shiga

A Tanabata festival at Yakawa Shrine in Koka, famous for its brave hand-held tezutsu fireworks, an evening firework display, and lively food stalls.

Ended

Jul 7, 2025Last edition

Yuasa Tanabata Festival (Benzaiten)

Shimanouchi, Yuasa, Arida, Wakayama

A Tanabata festival in the Shimanouchi district of Yuasa, the birthplace of soy sauce, honoring Benzaiten with streamers, night stalls and crowds in yukata.

Ended

Jun 19 – Jul 20, 2026

Hayashida Tanabata Festival

Hayashida-cho, Himeji, Hyogo

A Tanabata festival at the historic Former Miki Residence, a great Edo-period village headman's house, where heritage architecture meets bamboo decorations.

Ended

Jul 1 – Aug 15, 2026

Kifune Shrine Tanabata Bamboo Light-up

Kurama-Kibune-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto

The stone steps of Kifune Shrine, dedicated to the water deity, are lit up at night with Tanabata bamboo decorations, a magical summer sight in the cool Kibune valley.

Ended

Jul 4, 2026

Isshinden Tanabata Festival

Isshinden, Tsu, Mie

A handmade Tanabata festival in the Isshinden temple town before the National Treasure Senju-ji, filled with bamboo decorations, stalls and a popular mini-train.

Ended

Jul 4, 2026

Sumadera-mae Shopping Street Tanabata Festival

Sumadera-cho, Suma Ward, Kobe, Hyogo

A neighborhood Tanabata festival on the shopping street before the ancient Sumadera Temple, with bamboo decorations and festival stalls drawing families on summer evenings.

Sponsored

Ended

Jul 6 – Jul 7, 2026

Hatamono Shrine Tanabata Festival

Kuraji, Katano, Osaka

At Hatamono Shrine, which enshrines the Weaver Princess in Katano—a town tied to the Tanabata legend—this historic festival draws crowds with about 80 stalls and giant bamboo decorations.

Ended

Jul 7, 2026

Osaka Tenmangu Hoshiai Tanabata Festival

Tenjinbashi, Kita Ward, Osaka

A Tanabata festival at Osaka Tenmangu, dedicated to the deity of learning Sugawara no Michizane, featuring chinowa rings and kagura, serving as a prelude to the Tenjin Matsuri.

Ended

Jul 7, 2026

Reiwa OSAKA Milky Way Legend

Chuo Ward, Osaka (Okawa River near Tenmabashi)

On Tanabata night, glowing LED 'wish stars' are released onto the Okawa River, creating a fantastical Milky Way through the water city of Osaka for one night only.

Ended

Jul 7, 2026

Kimiidera Tanabata & Gion Festival

Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama

A Tanabata and Gion festival at Kimiidera, a famous temple of the Saikoku pilgrimage, with sutra readings, a ritual fire for wish-laden bamboo, and stalls along the approach.

Ended

Aug 7, 2026

Omiwa Shrine Tanabata Festival

Miwa, Sakurai, Nara

A Tanabata festival on the month-late date of August 7 at Omiwa Shrine, one of Japan's oldest shrines, praying for learning and wishes with cards tied to bamboo.