HOW TANABATA IS CELBRATED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF JAPAN

Nagano

In Nagano they celebrate Tanabata on August 6th, which is one month and one day after Tanabata. They make big Tanabata paper dolls and put their children's kimono on them. They hang it on their houses and pray for their children's health and long life.

Kyoto

In Kyoto they celebrate Tanabata in the Shiramine temple. The girls make Nishijin-ori (one of the Japanese traditional ways of making kimono cloth) wear Nishijin-ori clothes and dance around the village. Young girls hope that their handicraft will be as beautiful as the Weaver Princess Star. Here are some photographs of some other Tanabata costumes.

Kogoshima

In the middle part of the Edo period, the Kengo monk said "On Tanabata, the Spirit leaves heaven and will go home. The Jizo* will go to heaven and greet the spirit. So bring your home spirits and pray!" So that is what they do in Kagoshima.
*Jizo: A little stone statue of a child.

Miyagi

Many people from the city dance and play music in a Tanabata parade in Miyagi. There are also flower cars and there are people twirling sticks. Their parade is very attractive.