A summer festival around Mobara Station, brought to life by Tanabata ornaments and dance
Mobara Tanabata Festival
The 2026 edition of Mobara Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/24 〜 2026/07/26Ended
- Season / frequency
- In late July each year / Every year
- Location
- Around Mobara Station
- Area
- Chiba Prefecture・Mobara City(From Tokyo: approx. 40 min–1 h · 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.
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Required number of participants
- teams of 20 or fewer, or 21 or more members
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A summer tradition in Mobara City, the festival features colorful Tanabata ornaments throughout the shopping streets around Mobara Station, as well as lively Awa Odori and YOSAKOI dances.
About Mobara Tanabata Festival
The Mobara Tanabata Festival is a local Tanabata event held around JR Mobara Station in Mobara City, Chiba Prefecture.
The shopping streets around the station are decorated with colorful Tanabata ornaments, and an ornament contest is also held.
Dance-focused events, including Mobara Awa Odori and YOSAKOI Natsu no Jin, are also part of the festival.
Source: 茂原七夕まつり - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
Highlights include the Tanabata ornaments filling the shopping streets around Mobara Station and the contest to judge the quality of the decorations.
At the dance events, local groups take part in Mobara Awa Odori, held along a circuit route, and invited groups join them.
Groups from within and outside Mobara City may participate in YOSAKOI Natsu no Jin.
A summer festival around Mobara Station, brought to life by Tanabata ornaments and dance
What to expect
During the festival, you can stroll through the shopping streets around the station, admire the Tanabata ornaments, and enjoy the entries in the decoration contest.
One of the events, Mobara Awa Odori, is held along a circuit route, where local and invited groups perform dances.
Depending on the date, events such as YOSAKOI Natsu no Jin and stage performances are also held.
Source: Mobara Tanabata Festival
How to take part
General visitors can enjoy viewing the Tanabata ornaments and dance events.
In 2026, teams for YOSAKOI Natsu no Jin and stage performers for the Festa 21 venue were recruited.
Events with participant slots have conditions such as applications by team or group, a lottery, and participation fees.
For YOSAKOI Natsu no Jin in 2026, participating teams were accepted from May 1 through May 29. Applications were submitted by downloading an application form.
Applications for stage performances at Festa 21 were scheduled to be accepted from May 18 through June 12. Applications were to be submitted in person at the Mobara Chamber of Commerce and Industry or by mail.
Recruitment for both events for 2026 has ended.
Source: 七夕祭り各イベント募集 | 茂原七夕まつり
Location and access
- Venue and address
Around Mobara Station (around 1 Machiho, Mobara City, Chiba Prefecture)
- Train and bus
A short walk from Mobara Station on the JR Sotobo Line.
From Tokyo, it takes about 52 minutes by Keiyo Line limited express, or about 80 minutes by Keiyo Line rapid or Sobu Line rapid.
- By car
It is about 9 km from Chonan IC on the Ken-O Expressway and about 6 km from Mobara-Nagara Smart IC.
- Parking
Please use nearby paid parking lots.
Source: 第72回茂原七夕まつり／茂原駅周辺｜イベント｜千葉県公式観光サイト ちば観光ナビ
Address Around 1 Machiho, Mobara City, Chiba Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
In 2026, the festival was held from July 24 (Friday) through the 26th (Sunday), with hours listed as 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
It is usually held over 3 days, from Friday through Sunday in late July.
The 2026 event information listed Mobara Awa Odori, YOSAKOI Natsu no Jin, Tanabata ornaments, and other planned attractions.
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 Chiba Prefecture / Mobara City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The venue extends around Mobara Station, so you can walk through the shopping streets near the station to see the Tanabata decorations and various events.
In 2026, the festival runs from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors arriving by car are advised to use a nearby paid parking lot.
Event details may change, so if you’re visiting to see a particular performer or event, please check the announcements on the day.
Nearby attractions
Nearby places associated with the festival venue around Mobara Station include Enokicho Shopping Street, Higashi-Minobu Honzan Sōgenji Temple, Mobara Park, and the Mobara City Museum of Art and Local History.
JA Chosei Nagaiki Market and Hattori Farm Hydrangea House are also introduced as nearby sightseeing spots.
If you plan to visit alongside the festival, please check each facility’s opening status and visitor conditions.
茂原公園
千葉県茂原市にある総合公園
Origins and History of Mobara Tanabata Festival
The first Mobara Tanabata Festival was held in 1955 (Showa 30).
Mobara Odori began in 1976, and Chiba YOSAKOI Natsu no Jin began in 2000. Dance events have developed alongside the Tanabata ornaments.
The festival marked its 60th edition in 2014. Some editions were canceled due to a typhoon in 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 through 2022.
Official information
The official website of the Mobara Tanabata Festival Executive Committee provides information on the event, venue, transportation, the decoration contest, Mobara Awa Odori, YOSAKOI Natsu no Jin, and more.
It also posted participant recruitment and event information for 2026.
Mobara Tanabata Festival at a Glance
The Mobara Tanabata Festival is a summer community event in Mobara City, where Tanabata ornaments decorate the shopping streets around Mobara Station.
In addition to the ornament contest, visitors can enjoy dance events such as Mobara Awa Odori and YOSAKOI Natsu no Jin.
In 2026, it was held from July 24 through the 26th, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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
