Hello from Takayama city!
If you plan on visiting Takayama in early August, you may find Takayama Old Town decorated for a special celebration.
Tanabata is a traditional celebration beloved throughout Japan, rooted in the story of two stars, Orihime and Hikoboshi, separated by the Milky Way. The two are permitted to meet just once a year, on the night of the Tanabata Star Festival. The tradition of celebrating Tanabata goes back around 1,300 years, to the Nara period, and has been an important event to mark summer here in Japan.
Tanabata is usually celebrated on July 7th throughout Japan, but in the Hida region, it is celebrated a month later, on August 7th, in accordance with the traditional lunar calendar. The town is decorated with colorful bamboo displays featuring tanzaku, or wishes written on paper, from the 5th through the 7th.
For visitors to Takayama, Tanabata is an opportunity to experience a beloved seasonal tradition in Japan in one of the best-preserved historic townscapes in the country. Even if you’ve already seen Takayama Old Town, the Tanabata decorations give the wooden buildings and historic architecture a whole new atmosphere to enjoy.
Takayama Old Town is approximately a 10-minute walk from JR Takayama Station, and just a short walk away from THE MACHIYA HOTEL TAKAYAMA.
