Travel Log: Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival

Sorry to bang on about this... This is the last post about Tanabata, I promise! Its no secret I attended the Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival (which featured in both my previous TGIF and Tops Tuesday posts) last weekend. I wanted to share some of my snaps with you! Enjoy!

Tops Tuesday

Last weekend I went to Hiratsuka for their annual Tanabata celebration. Tanabata festivals usually begin on or around July 7 and last up to August 7. So this week's Tops Tuesday post is dedicated to the wonder of Tanabata and its iconic paper streamers. I definitely recommend attending a Tanabata festival while in Japan; its an experience you will never forget.

(I took this image with Instagram. You can can follow me on Instagram by searching for username, "AussieOnTheIzu.")

T.G.I.F.: Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Matsuri

This weekend, of course, is Japan's famous Tanabata Matsuri (Star Festival) and particularly noteworthy are the festivities in Hiratsuka which claims to host the largest (with the exception perhaps of the Sendai Tanabata Matsuri) festival of its kind in Japan. Tanabata typically celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively) who, according to legend, are separated by the Milky Way and are only allowed to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. The day is usually marked with community events, much yukata-wearing, iconic displays of colourful streamers, and plenty of food stalls. Think Valentines Day meets Mardi Gras... in Japan. The Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Matsuri takes place between Friday, July 6th and Sunday, July 8th in Hiratsuka. Click the image below for more details (Japanese only)...

The Izu Life: Top 5 Little-Known Tanabata Festivals

Thinking of attending a Tanabata festival this summer? Here are some alternatives to the larger maintain-stay Tanabata festivals in Sendai and Hiratsuka that are worth checking out (click the image for more information)...

Tops Tuesday

This shot was taken by the owner of GaijinHero.com and I thought it was too funny to pass over without mentioning it in a Tops Tuesday post...

I guess even ninjas need to take a break sometimes! This shot of a couple of supposed ninjas taking a stroll was taken in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo. Have a great week!