Anjo’s Tanabata Festival, where bamboo decorations and wishes illuminate the city
Anjo Tanabata Festival
The 2026 edition of Anjo Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/07 〜 2026/08/09Ended
- Season / frequency
- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in early August / Every year
- Location
- The city center around JR Anjo Station and Anjo Tanabata Shrine
- Area
- Aichi Prefecture・Anjo City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 40 min–2 h · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Anjo City’s summer Tanabata festival, where bamboo decorations and wish strips brighten the streets around JR Anjo Station.
About Anjo Tanabata Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Evelyn-rose File:Anjo-Tanabata-Matsuri-2023-6.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Kyu3 File:安城七夕まつり 2017 No - 44：ごんぎつねの七夕飾り.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Evelyn-rose File:Anjo-Tanabata-Matsuri-2023-11.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.The Anjo Tanabata Festival is a summer festival that has been held in Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture, since 1954.
Set in the city center around JR Anjo Station, the festival features bamboo decorations along the streets, wish strips, and activities at Anjo Tanabata Shrine.
As a festival that values people’s wishes, since 2009 it has used the theme “Japan’s No. 1 for wishes.」
をテーマに掲げています。
The shopping streets in the city center and local residents work together to create a Tanabata scene.
Source: 安城七夕まつり - Wikipedia / 安城市／安城七夕まつり
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the bamboo decorations that brightly adorn the city.
In 2026, the theme was “Light,” and in addition to the bamboo decorations, food stalls and candlelight illuminated the venue at night.
At Anjo Tanabata Shrine, events include bamboo lanterns, a path lined with bamboo grass, and wish candles, offering a chance to enjoy the wishes written on paper strips.
The stage and parade at the Wish Plaza are also events where you can experience the festival atmosphere.
Source: 安城市／第73回安城七夕まつり / 実施イベント一覧 | 安城七夕まつり 公式サイト
Anjo’s Tanabata Festival, where bamboo decorations and wishes illuminate the city
What to expect
At the venue, you can walk around the city center admiring the bamboo decorations and enjoy wish strips and activities at Anjo Tanabata Shrine.
Anjo Tanabata Shrine hosts bamboo lanterns, a path lined with bamboo grass, workshops, and goshuin stamp sales.
Stage performances, a parade, a large dance, street performances, and food events are also planned during the festival.
Activities such as decoration-making workshops and the Uchimizu Water-Sprinkling Campaign offer ways to take part, not just watch.
How to take part
Visitors can come to the venue and enjoy bamboo decorations, tanzaku wish strips, stage performances, and events at the shrine.
Programs that visitors can take part in, such as writing wishes on tanzaku, workshops, and decoration-making activities, are also listed.
However, participation requirements and whether advance registration is needed vary by event, so please check the information provided on the day.
Location and access
- Venue and address
The area around JR Anjo Station and Anjo Tanabata Shrine.
The festival takes place across the entire city center, so there is no single venue address.
- Train and bus
A short walk from JR Anjo Station.
On the Meitetsu Line, transfer at Shin-Anjo Station, get off at Minami-Anjo Station, and walk a short distance.
- By car
About 30 minutes from Okazaki IC on the Tomei Expressway, or about 25 minutes from Toyota-Minami IC on the Isewangan Expressway.
Some sections are subject to traffic restrictions.
- Parking
Parking is available, but spaces are limited and it gets very crowded.
Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation.
Source: 第73回 安城七夕まつり | イベント検索 | 【公式】愛知県の観光サイトAichi Now
Event venue 愛知県安城市 JR安城駅周辺市街地
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
2026 Festival Information (The listed dates have passed)
The 2026 Anjo Tanabata Festival was held from August 7 (Friday) through the 9th (Sunday).
The listed hours were 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the 7th, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the 8th, and 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the 9th.
During the festival, bamboo decorations, stage events, and shrine activities took place around the city on different days.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Aichi Prefecture / Anjo City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Traffic restrictions are in place around the venue, including a ban on vehicle traffic.
In 2026, roads marked in red were scheduled to be closed to all vehicle traffic throughout the day from 10 a.m. on August 7 until 10 p.m. on the 9th.
Parking is limited and gets crowded, so taking the train is convenient.
For peace of mind, check the schedule for the events you want to attend, such as evening activities or daytime hands-on programs.
Nearby attractions
安城産業文化公園デンパーク
愛知県安城市にある公園
Origins and History of Anjo Tanabata Festival
The Anjo Tanabata Festival began in 1954 as a summer event held alongside the Tsushima Shrine festival in Honmachi, led by the Honmachi Development Association.
It continued in subsequent years, and in 1959 the Anjo Tanabata Festival Sponsorship Association was established to take charge of planning and operations.
After bamboo decorations were displayed at the 1978 National Folk Festival, the festival’s name became known throughout Japan.
In 1988, the festival was shortened from 4 days to 3 days.
Official information
The Anjo Tanabata Festival official website provides information on the program, highlights, event list, and stage schedules.
You can also check the festival dates, venue, traffic restrictions, and related events on the Anjo City official website.
Anjo Tanabata Festival at a Glance
The Anjo Tanabata Festival is a summer festival in Anjo City that brightens the streets around JR Anjo Station with bamboo decorations and wishes.
In 2026, under the theme “Light,” events included bamboo lanterns and candles at Anjo Tanabata Shrine, stage performances, a parade, and hands-on activities.
As roads are closed to vehicles and parking lots become crowded, public transportation is a convenient way to get there.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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