Tanabata Wishes: Writing on Tanzaku Strips

A star legend, a stalk of bamboo and a handful of colored paper strips turn a summer evening into a public wish-making party.

Published October 19, 2026 at 1:21 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Tanabata, celebrated on July 7 in most of Japan (and in August in some regions), is a star festival based on a legend of two lovers separated by the Milky Way. People write wishes on narrow colored paper strips called tanzaku and hang them on bamboo branches. The custom is simple, free to join in many places, and easy to try at home.

The legend behind the wishes

Tanabata comes from a story shared across East Asia. Orihime, a weaver princess, and Hikoboshi, a cow herder, fall in love, but their devotion leads them to neglect their duties, so they are placed on opposite sides of the Milky Way. They are allowed to meet only once a year, on the seventh night of the seventh month, if the sky is clear. The two stars are identified with Vega and Altair.

The Japanese festival blended this tale with older native customs and with Chinese practices of praying for skill in sewing and weaving. Over time, the festival became a more general occasion for wishing. The weather matters in the legend, and rain is sometimes described as the lovers' tears, but the festival itself is meant to be cheerful, with people hoping that skies will be clear.

What a tanzaku is

A tanzaku is a long, narrow strip of paper, usually about the size of a bookmark, with a small hole or loop at the top for a string. Traditionally, they come in five colors: red, yellow, green, white and blue or purple. The colors are linked to the five elements in East Asian thought, and each is said to stand for different virtues or themes.

People write a wish on one side. Wishes are often about personal growth, such as improving a skill, passing an exam or staying healthy. Children frequently write about dreams, such as becoming a baker or an astronaut. The tradition started as a way to pray for better handwriting and craft skill, so writing neatly is part of the charm, but anyone can take part.

A wish does not need to be grand. Many people choose a goal they can work toward, such as learning a language, finishing a project or being more patient. Because the strips are displayed publicly, wishes are usually written in a way that is comfortable to share, and children often add small drawings. Writing a wish in your own language is perfectly fine.

Bamboo and decorations

Tanzaku are hung on branches of bamboo, which is considered a lively, upright plant and a good place for wishes to reach the sky. The branches are often decorated with other paper ornaments, each with a meaning. Small folded paper cranes represent longevity, paper nets can symbolize abundance, and tiny paper clothes express a wish for skill in sewing and good fortune.

Some displays feature long streamers, which hang like rain from the branches. Shopping streets often decorate their arcades with them. Because the decorations are made of paper, they are designed for short-term display, and after the festival they are typically collected and respectfully disposed of, sometimes by burning at a shrine or temple, or floating down a river in some traditions.

When it happens, and why dates differ

Tanabata falls on July 7 in much of Japan. However, because the old calendar date corresponds to a later time in the Gregorian calendar, some regions celebrate in August, or on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. The best-known example is Sendai Tanabata in Miyagi, held in early August with enormous, elaborate streamers decorating the city center. The rainy season in many areas can make the July 7 date wet, so a few places choose to hold events in August when the skies are clearer.

If you travel for Tanabata, check the local calendar to see which date the town uses. The exact timing of major events is announced by local tourism offices. This regional split means that you can enjoy two Tanabata seasons in one summer by visiting a July event and then traveling north for an August one, each with its own decorations and food stalls.

Where to see big Tanabata displays

Sendai's festival is one of the largest in Japan, with long streamers and decorations covering shopping arcades. Hiratsuka in Kanagawa holds a big festival in early July, with colorful displays in the city center. In Tokyo, shopping districts, parks and some shrines put up bamboo and tanzaku for visitors to use. Many department stores, schools, libraries and community centers also put out a bamboo branch and provide strips and pens free of charge.

These small installations are often the easiest place to take part, and visitors are generally welcome. Look for a table near the entrance in early July, and ask staff if you are unsure about the process. Large events draw big crowds in the evening, so mornings and early afternoons are good for photographs. Check the opening hours of any related stalls, and keep a reusable bag for sweets and souvenirs.

How to do it yourself

To celebrate at home, you need paper strips, a pen and a small branch of bamboo or any slender branch. Cut colored paper into narrow rectangles, make a small hole in the top and thread a string through. Write your wish in a short sentence, and tie the strip to the branch. Place it near a window or on a balcony if you can, and hang it on the evening of July 6 or 7.

Children can make the paper ornaments as a family craft, and craft stores often sell cut-out kits in June. Keep your wishes kind and simple, and think about what you want to learn or become rather than something for others to give you. After the festival, remove the strips and dispose of the paper properly. If you have no bamboo, any green branch can serve, and in many shops you can buy a small decorated set for the season.

Food and seasonal pairings

Somen noodles, thin wheat noodles served cold, are the classic Tanabata food. Their thin, flowing strands are said to resemble the Milky Way or weaving thread, and they suit the warm season. Many restaurants and convenience stores offer somen with colorful toppings in early July. Seasonal sweets such as star-shaped jelly are also popular. Other early-summer pairings include summer festivals, firefly viewing and yukata outfits. If you visit a Tanabata event in the evening, a cold drink, shaved ice and a walk beneath paper streamers make for an easy, relaxed outing.

Check whether local shops host special events, as many take part with sales and decorations. The festival also connects to the older tradition of kikkoden, a Heian-period court event in which people prayed for skill in crafts and the arts, and to Obon, which follows soon after in many regions. Seen together, the early summer calendar offers a steady run of seasonal events, each with a food, a decoration and a small custom to try.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Tanabata?

Tanabata is celebrated on July 7 in most of Japan, but some regions hold it in early August, following the old calendar. Sendai's festival is a well-known August example. Check local event pages for exact dates. Confirm the details closer to the date, as small changes are common.

What do people write on tanzaku?

People write personal wishes, such as hopes for health, school success, work or hobbies. The custom began as a prayer for better handwriting and craft skills. Children often write about their dreams. Keep your wish short and positive. The idea is easy to appreciate even without background knowledge, and locals are usually happy to explain.

Can visitors join in?

Yes. Many shops, stations, shrines and event spaces provide bamboo, strips and pens for anyone to use. Just write your wish, tie it to the branch and follow the instructions on the sign. There is usually no fee. Staff on site can answer questions, and signs usually explain the process clearly.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Gosekku: Japan's Five Seasonal Festivals, Toro Nagashi: Floating Lanterns for Obon and Japan in July: Heat, Festivals and Mountain Trips.