9 Tanabata Events and Recommended Spots in Tokyo
A summer outing guide for making wishes on tanzaku
Tanabata on July 7 is a Japanese tradition that marks the start of summer: writing wishes on tanzaku, admiring bamboo decorations, and contemplating the stars in the night sky. Across Tokyo, various Tanabata events are held, including Tanabata festivals, tanzaku prayers at shrines and temples, special lighting at Tokyo Tower, and stargazing events at planetariums.
This article highlights Tanabata events in Tokyo with confirmed details for 2026. Use it as a reference for family outings, couples’ night strolls, seasonal activities with friends, or as a stop during Tokyo sightseeing.
※Information is based on official websites, organizer announcements, and event details confirmed as of June 2026. Dates, fees, and content are subject to change. Please check the official website for the latest information before your visit.
Tokyo Tanabata Events 2026 Comparison Table
Click a spot name to jump to the detailed section on this page.
Tanabata Events and Recommended Spots in Tokyo
1
Shitamachi Tanabata Festival
Taito Ward Tanabata Festival
One of Tokyo’s signature Tanabata festivals, held mainly along Kappabashi Hondori, which connects Ueno and Asakusa. The street is lined with colorful Tanabata decorations, making it easy to enjoy together with sightseeing in Asakusa or a stroll around Ueno. In 2026, it is scheduled from July 3 (Fri) to July 7 (Tue).
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Address
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Kappabashi Hondori area, Taito Ward, Tokyo
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Access
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Within walking distance from JR “Ueno Station”, Tokyo Metro “Tawaramachi Station” and “Inaricho Station”, and Tsukuba Express “Asakusa Station”
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Dates / Events
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July 3 (Fri) – July 7 (Tue), 2026
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Admission
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Free (food, drinks, and shopping charged separately)
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Hours
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Varies by program
2
Zojoji Temple Tanabata Festival
Minato Tanzaku, Temples & Shrines
At Zojoji Temple in the Shiba Park area with views of Tokyo Tower, events such as a wish-writing area, a Tanabata gathering, and a Tanabata victory good-fortune prayer ceremony are held for Tanabata. Recommended for those who want to write their wishes on tanzaku and pay a visit, and for those who want to enjoy a calm Tanabata atmosphere in the city center.
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Address
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東京都港区芝公園4-7-35
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Access
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Within walking distance from Toei Mita Line「御成門駅」「芝公園駅」, and Toei Asakusa Line・Oedo Line「大門駅」, etc.
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Dates & Events
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Tanabata gathering:July 7/Tanzaku reception:June 14〜July 7
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Fees
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Tanzaku prayer fee:200 yen per slip
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Hours
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Tanzaku reception:Depending on the date, until 17:00, 20:00, or 21:00
3
Tokyo Daijingu Tanabata Prayer Festival
Chiyoda Tanzaku, Prayers
At Tokyo Daijingu, affectionately known as “Tokyo’s Ise Shrine,” the Tanabata Prayer Festival is held on July 7. From June 1, limited-time “Happy Star” amulets and Tanabata tanzaku are available, and from July 1 to 7 the bamboo decorations are illuminated.
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Address
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東京都千代田区富士見2-4-1
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Access
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Within walking distance from 「飯田橋駅」 on JR, Tokyo Metro, and Toei Subway
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Dates & Events
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Tanabata Prayer Festival:July 7/Tanzaku offering:June 1〜July 7/Bamboo illumination:July 1〜7
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Fees
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Tanabata tanzaku:offering 300 yen/Happy Star amulet:offering 1,000 yen
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Hours
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Bamboo illumination:Around sunset〜around 21:00
4
Tokyo Tower Milky Way Illumination 2026
Minato Ward Illumination
An illumination event at Tokyo Tower, loved as a summer tradition, inspired by the Milky Way. The Main Deck is bathed in blue, dreamlike light, letting you enjoy the city nightscape together with a Tanabata ambience. Recommended for evening outings during the Tanabata season and for those who want to take photos.
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Address
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東京都港区芝公園4-2-8
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Access
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Within walking distance from Akabanebashi Station (Toei Oedo Line), Kamiyacho Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line), Onarimon Station (Toei Mita Line), etc.
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Dates / Event
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June 12 (Fri), 2026 – September 27 (Sun), 2026
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Admission
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Main Deck admission fee required
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Hours
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Follows Tokyo Tower business hours
5
Asagaya Tanabata Festival
Suginami Ward Tanabata Festival
A shopping-street event that represents Tokyo’s summer, held mainly along the Asagaya Pearl Center Shopping Street. Large papier-mâché and Tanabata decorations line the arcade, and you can enjoy strolling while taking in the sights. In 2026, the 70th edition will be held from Friday, August 7 to Tuesday, August 11 (public holiday).
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Address
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東京都杉並区阿佐谷南周辺
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Access
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Within walking distance from JR Asagaya Station and Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Minami-Asagaya Station.
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Dates / Event
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August 7 (Fri) – August 11 (Tue, public holiday), 2026
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Admission
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Free (food, drinks, and shopping are extra)
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Hours
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Varies depending on the shopping street’s business hours and event content
6
Galaxcity “Let’s View the Stars of Tanabata”
Adachi Ward Planetarium
At Galaxcity in Adachi Ward, the Multi-Experience Dome will screen the live-commentary program “Let’s View the Stars of Tanabata.” You can enjoy learning about the Orihime Star, Hikoboshi Star, and the Milky Way, making it a great family outing.
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Address
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東京都足立区栗原1-3-1
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Access
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Within walking distance from Nishiarai Station on the Tobu Skytree Line
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Dates / Event
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June 7 (Sun) – July 11 (Sat), 2026
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Fees
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Elementary, junior high and high school students: 100 yen / Adults: 500 yen / Preschool children: free ※ 100 yen when a seat is used
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Time
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13:00–13:30 ※ Not held on closed days, during group reservations, or during special events
7
Konica Minolta Planetarium “Tanabata Welcome Dome”
3 locations in Tokyo Planetarium
Konica Minolta Planetarium will present the Tanabata-season-limited “Tanabata Welcome Dome” at three venues: PLANETARIA TOKYO, Planetarium Manten, and Planetarium Tenku. Before the main feature of applicable works, you can enjoy Tanabata footage with photography allowed. You can choose from the areas of Yurakucho, Ikebukuro, and Oshiage, making it easy to combine with shopping, sightseeing, and dining.
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Address
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プラネタリアTOKYO: 東京都千代田区有楽町2-5-1 有楽町マリオン9階/満天: 東京都豊島区東池袋3-1-3 サンシャインシティ内/天空: 東京都墨田区押上1-1-2 東京スカイツリータウン内
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Access
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プラネタリアTOKYO: Within walking distance from Yurakucho and Ginza stations/満天: Within walking distance from Ikebukuro and Higashi-Ikebukuro stations/天空: Directly connected to Oshiage Station
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Dates/Events
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June 5 (Fri)–July 7 (Tue), 2026
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Admission
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Included in the ticket price of the applicable program(s)
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Hours
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For about 5–10 minutes after the dome opens and before the screening begins
8
Takenotsuka Tanabata Festival
Adachi City Local event
A community-based Tanabata event held at “たけのつカー&パーク” in Adachi City. Through activities such as a flea market, making ring decorations, and a tanzaku corner, visitors of all ages can casually enjoy the Tanabata atmosphere. Unlike large-scale Tanabata festivals, it’s a family-friendly local event that’s easy to drop by and recommend.
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Address
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東京都足立区西竹の塚2丁目8番 たけのつカー&パーク
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Access
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About 3 minutes on foot from Takenotsuka Station (Tobu Skytree Line)
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Dates/Events
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July 5 (Sun), 2026
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Admission
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Free (additional fees apply for some activities/purchases)
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Hours
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10:00–16:00
9
Fussa Tanabata Festival
Fussa City Tanabata Festival
If you want to enjoy a large-scale Tanabata festival in Tokyo, the Fussa Tanabata Festival is an event to consider. In 2026, the 76th festival will be held from Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 9. Tanabata decorations throughout the town and locally flavored events will enhance the mood for summer outings.
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Address
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Fussa City, Tokyo; around Fussa Station
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Access
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Around JR Ome Line “Fussa Station”
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Dates / Events
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August 7 (Fri) – August 9 (Sun), 2026
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Admission
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Free ※ Food, drinks, and shopping charged separately
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Hours
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13:00–21:00 ※ Until 20:30 on August 9
About this listing
The information on this page is compiled based on official websites, official social media, and publicly available sources confirmed as of June 2026.
Business hours, event dates, fees, reservation methods, and services are subject to change. Please be sure to check the latest information on the official website, official social media, or by phone before visiting or making a reservation.
Due to weather, crowd conditions, temporary closures, or changes to event content, the posted information may differ from actual conditions. Thank you for your understanding.