Streamers and Tanabata festivities brighten central Kofu
Kofu City Tanabata Festival
The 2026 edition of Kofu City Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/04 〜 2026/07/07Ended
- Season / frequency
- Several days around July 7 each year / Every year
- Location
- South Lawn of Maizuru Castle Park (main venue), Asahi-dori, Ginza-dori, Kasuga-dori, and other locations
- Area
- Yamanashi Prefecture・Kofu City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 30 min–2 h · limited express)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
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A summer tradition, with colorful Tanabata decorations brightening central Kofu. Enjoy food stalls, food trucks, stages, and more as you explore the shopping streets and roads.
About Kofu City Tanabata Festival
The Kofu City Tanabata Festival is a local summer festival held during the Tanabata season in central Kofu.
The Central Shopping District and other areas are decorated with colorful streamers and elaborate ornaments, while vendors, food stalls, and food trucks line the streets.
It is an event where you can enjoy Tanabata traditions up close while walking around downtown Kofu.
Source: 甲府市／甲府七夕祭り / 甲府七夕祭り｜イベント｜【公式】甲府観光ナビ -甲府市観光協会-
Festival highlights
The highlights are the colorful Tanabata decorations filling the Central Shopping District and the surrounding streets.
Food stalls line Ginza-dori, while food trucks set up along Kasuga-dori and at the main venue, each offering a different atmosphere.
In 2026, a layered stamp rally, stage performances, and various other events were also announced.
Streamers and Tanabata festivities brighten central Kofu
What to expect
Admire the Tanabata decorations as you explore the Central Shopping District and nearby streets, enjoying food stalls, vendors, and food trucks.
A layered stamp rally is held during the festival, with stage performances and other events also on offer.
In 2026, the South Lawn of Maizuru Castle Park served as the main venue, with events spread across several shopping streets and roads.
Location and access
- Venue and address
The festival is held mainly at the South Lawn of Maizuru Castle Park, as well as along Asahi-dori, Ginza-dori, Kasuga-dori, and other streets.
Located in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture.
- Train and bus
The nearest station is Kofu Station on the JR Chuo Main Line.
About a 10-minute walk from JR Kofu Station.
- By car
About 20 minutes from Kofu-minami IC on the Chuo Expressway.
- Parking
Please use nearby paid parking lots.
Source: 甲府市七夕祭り - Wikipedia
Address Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 Festival Information (the listed dates have passed)
In 2026, the festival was held from July 4 (Saturday) to July 7 (Tuesday).
It was scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with hours until 9 p.m. on July 6 and July 7.
In most years, it takes place around the Tanabata period, centered on July 7.
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 Yamanashi Prefecture / Kofu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
Nearby attractions include Sadoya Winery, Shingen Museum, Tokoji Temple, Atagoyama Kodomo no Kuni, Chozenji Temple, and Hosenji Temple.
As the festival venues spread across the downtown area around Kofu Station, you can consider visiting these places while exploring the Tanabata decorations and stalls.
Please check opening status and exact locations of each facility before your visit.
山梨県立文学館
山梨県甲府市の芸術の森公園にある文学館
山梨県立科学館
山梨県甲府市にある県立の科学館
写真：さかおり ( talk ) 03:32, 5 March 2010 (UTC) / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo source ·
山梨県立美術館
山梨県甲府市の芸術の森公園にある美術館
Origins and History of Kofu City Tanabata Festival
The Kofu Tanabata Festival is said to have begun in 1950 as an event promoting the recovery of the city center, which suffered extensive damage in the 1945 Kofu Air Raid.
The festival began as a symbol of reconstruction in the aftermath of the event, also known as the Tanabata Air Raid.
Today, it continues as a summer event where visitors can enjoy Tanabata decorations and stalls in the shopping streets and along the roads of central Kofu.
Official information
The official tourism information page of the Kofu City Tourism Division provides information about the 2026 dates, hours, locations, Tanabata decorations, food stalls, food trucks, stages, and more.
The Kofu Shopping District Federation is also listed as a contact.
Kofu City Tanabata Festival at a Glance
The Kofu City Tanabata Festival is a summer event that brightens central Kofu with Tanabata decorations.
In 2026, events were held mainly at the South Lawn of Maizuru Castle Park, as well as along Asahi-dori, Ginza-dori, Kasuga-dori, and other streets. There were food stalls, food trucks, a stamp rally, and more.
It is about a 10-minute walk from Kofu Station and about 20 minutes from Kofu-minami IC.
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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