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Tanabata Events 2026 in Tokyo|A Summer Outing Guide for Writing Wishes on Tanzaku Strips

2026.06.04

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.

Spot name Area Genre Dates
Shitamachi Tanabata Festival Taito Tanabata festival July 3 (Fri)–July 7 (Tue), 2026
Zojoji Tanabata Festival Minato Tanzaku / Temple & Shrine Tanabata ceremony: July 7 / Tanzaku acceptance: June 14–July 7
Tokyo Daijingu Tanabata Prayer Festival Chiyoda Tanzaku / Prayer Tanabata Prayer Festival: July 7 / Tanzaku distribution: June 1–July 7
Tokyo Tower Milky Way Illumination 2026 Minato Illumination June 12 (Fri)–September 27 (Sun), 2026
Asagaya Tanabata Festival Suginami Ward Tanabata Festival August 7 (Fri) – August 11 (Tue, holiday), 2026
Galaxcity “Let’s See the Stars of Tanabata” Adachi Ward Planetarium June 7 (Sun) – July 11 (Sat), 2026
Konica Minolta Planetarium “Tanabata Welcome Dome” 3 locations in Tokyo Planetarium June 5 (Fri) – July 7 (Tue), 2026
Takenotsuka Tanabata Festival Adachi Ward Local Event July 5 (Sun), 2026
Fussa Tanabata Festival Fussa City Tanabata Festival August 7 (Fri) – August 9 (Sun), 2026

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).

Address
Kappabashi Hondori area, Taito Ward, Tokyo
Access
Within walking distance from JR “Ueno Station”, Tokyo Metro “Tawaramachi Station” and “Inaricho Station”, and Tsukuba Express “Asakusa Station”
Dates / Events
July 3 (Fri) – July 7 (Tue), 2026
Admission
Free (food, drinks, and shopping charged separately)
Hours
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.

Address
東京都港区芝公園4-7-35
Access
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.
Dates & Events
Tanabata gathering:July 7/Tanzaku reception:June 14〜July 7
Fees
Tanzaku prayer fee:200 yen per slip
Hours
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.

Address
東京都千代田区富士見2-4-1
Access
Within walking distance from 「飯田橋駅」 on JR, Tokyo Metro, and Toei Subway
Dates & Events
Tanabata Prayer Festival:July 7/Tanzaku offering:June 1〜July 7/Bamboo illumination:July 1〜7
Fees
Tanabata tanzaku:offering 300 yen/Happy Star amulet:offering 1,000 yen
Hours
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.

Address
東京都港区芝公園4-2-8
Access
Within walking distance from Akabanebashi Station (Toei Oedo Line), Kamiyacho Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line), Onarimon Station (Toei Mita Line), etc.
Dates / Event
June 12 (Fri), 2026 – September 27 (Sun), 2026
Admission
Main Deck admission fee required
Hours
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).

Address
東京都杉並区阿佐谷南周辺
Access
Within walking distance from JR Asagaya Station and Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Minami-Asagaya Station.
Dates / Event
August 7 (Fri) – August 11 (Tue, public holiday), 2026
Admission
Free (food, drinks, and shopping are extra)
Hours
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.

Address
東京都足立区栗原1-3-1
Access
Within walking distance from Nishiarai Station on the Tobu Skytree Line
Dates / Event
June 7 (Sun) – July 11 (Sat), 2026
Fees
Elementary, junior high and high school students: 100 yen / Adults: 500 yen / Preschool children: free ※ 100 yen when a seat is used
Time
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.

Address
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
Access
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
Dates/Events
June 5 (Fri)–July 7 (Tue), 2026
Admission
Included in the ticket price of the applicable program(s)
Hours
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.

Address
東京都足立区西竹の塚2丁目8番 たけのつカー&パーク
Access
About 3 minutes on foot from Takenotsuka Station (Tobu Skytree Line)
Dates/Events
July 5 (Sun), 2026
Admission
Free (additional fees apply for some activities/purchases)
Hours
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.

Address
Fussa City, Tokyo; around Fussa Station
Access
Around JR Ome Line “Fussa Station”
Dates / Events
August 7 (Fri) – August 9 (Sun), 2026
Admission
Free ※ Food, drinks, and shopping charged separately
Hours
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.

Author of this article

ぐるっと東京

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