Higashine’s moving Tanabata, with handmade lanterns traveling through the community
Higashine Tanabata Festival event
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Area
- Yamagata Prefecture・Higashine City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 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.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Higashine Festival event is a traditional event in Higashine City where children walk carrying handmade lanterns. It has been passed down in the community in a distinctive form known as “Moving Tanabata.”
About Higashine Tanabata Festival event
The Higashine Tanabata Festival event is a traditional Tanabata event passed down in Higashine City, Yamagata Prefecture.
It is known as “Moving Tanabata” because children walk carrying dengaku lanterns they have made by hand.
It is one of the forms of folk culture passed down in the community as an event unlike those in nearby areas.
Source: 東根市の文化財 | 東根市 「ようこそ果樹王国ひがしねへ」
Festival highlights
The main highlight is seeing children carry dengaku lanterns that they made themselves.
As the lanterns move through the community, the event is known for its distinctive “Moving Tanabata” style.
Considered a traditional event unlike those in nearby areas, its handmade lights and children’s procession express what makes this festival unique.
Higashine’s moving Tanabata, with handmade lanterns traveling through the community
What to expect
During the event, children walk carrying dengaku lanterns they have made by hand.
As the children carrying lanterns move along, the Tanabata event unfolds through the community rather than remaining in one place.
Specific routes and detailed schedules for the day need to be checked in the information published for each year.
Location and access
- Address
Higashine City
Host municipality 山形県東根市
This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.
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 Yamagata Prefecture / Higashine City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
まなびあテラス
山形県東根市にある公益文化施設
写真：Ebiebi2 / CC0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·Origins and History of Higashine Tanabata Festival event
The Higashine Tanabata Festival event has been passed down as a traditional event where children walk with handmade dengaku lanterns.
In Heisei 6January 1, it was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Higashine City.
No detailed, verifiable account of the event’s origins, formation, or changes over time is available.
Official information
The Higashine Tanabata Festival event is introduced as a municipal-designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property on the “Cultural Properties of Higashine City” page of the official Higashine City website.
You can learn about the event’s cultural property designation and its distinctive feature of children walking with handmade dengaku lanterns.
Higashine Tanabata Festival event at a Glance
The Higashine Tanabata Festival event is a traditional event in Higashine City where children walk with handmade dengaku lanterns.
Known as “Moving Tanabata,” it has been designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Higashine City for its distinctive character, unlike events in nearby areas.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
Submit information or a correction Submit photos of this festival
