Tanabata decorations and nighttime lights brighten the streets: 3 days of discoveries around Hiratsuka Station
Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival
The 2026 edition of Shonan Hiratsuka Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/03 〜 2026/07/05Ended
- Season / frequency
- Early July / Once a year
- Location
- City center and various locations throughout the city
- Area
- Kanagawa Prefecture・Hiratsuka City(From Tokyo: approx. 30 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.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival fills the streets with colorful Tanabata decorations, especially along the shopping streets north of Hiratsuka Station. Large bamboo decorations, nighttime illuminations, parades, and stage events take place throughout the city center.
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: rinia File:Tanabata Festiva - Panoramio 74734604.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 rinia https://www.panoramio.com/photo/74734604Display size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: rinia File:TanabataＦｅｓtival - Panoramio 55635202.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 rinia https://www.panoramio.com/photo/55635202Display size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: rinia File:Ｔａｎａｂａｔａ Festival - Panoramio 74734926.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 rinia https://www.panoramio.com/photo/74734926Display size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.About Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival
The Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival is a Tanabata festival held in the city center of Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Tanabata decorations of all sizes line the shopping streets north of Hiratsuka Station.
Shopping streets such as Shonan Star Mall and Beniyapearl Road serve as the main venues, and local businesses and residents have helped decorate them.
One of the festival’s distinctive features is that the decorations look different by day and by night.
Source: 湘南ひらつか七夕まつり - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
The main attraction is the elaborate Tanabata decorations lining the shopping streets.
Large bamboo decorations are displayed along Shonan Star Mall, and lights adorning streamers and other decorations brighten the streets at night.
The Tanabata Decoration Contest is held in separate daytime and nighttime divisions, letting visitors enjoy how the displays look different at different times.
Other events include a parade featuring Orihime and a marching band, as well as performances of original drumming.
Tanabata decorations and nighttime lights brighten the streets: 3 days of discoveries around Hiratsuka Station
What to expect
Visitors typically spend their time walking through the shopping streets in the city center and viewing the Tanabata decorations.
Admire the large bamboo decorations and streamers during the day, then enjoy the nighttime atmosphere when the lights come on.
A Tanabata Decoration Contest is held during the festival, and food stalls and stage events are also held at Mitsukedai Plaza.
Each venue offers different things to see and do, including decorations, performances, and stage events.
Location and access
- Venue and address
City center and various locations throughout the city.
The main venue is the shopping streets north of Hiratsuka Station.
- Train and bus
From the north exit of JR Hiratsuka Station, it is a 2-minute walk.
It takes about 60 minutes from Tokyo Station on the JR Tokaido Line and about 65 minutes from Shinjuku Station on the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line.
From Hon-Atsugi Station on the Odakyu Line, it is about 40 minutes by Kanachu Bus.
- By car
Traffic restrictions will be in place around the venue from July 2, 2026 (Thursday) through July 5 (Sunday).
Visitors are advised to use public transportation.
Source: 湘南ひらつか七夕まつり | 平塚市
Address City center and various locations throughout the city (Hiratsuka City)
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The 74th Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival in 2026 was held from July 3 (Friday) to July 5 (Sunday).
On July 3 and the 4th, it was scheduled to run until 8:30 p.m.; on the final day, July 5, it was scheduled to run until 7 p.m.
Hiratsuka City has indicated plans to hold the festival over 3 days, from Friday to Sunday, in future years, depending on the day of the week on which July 7 falls.
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 Kanagawa Prefecture / Hiratsuka City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
In 2026, traffic restrictions were in place around the venue, and visitors were advised to use public transportation.
If you plan to drive, check the dates and areas covered by traffic restrictions in advance, and plan to avoid driving into the area around the festival venue.
Tanabata decorations are spread across the city center and other parts of the city, so it is easier to get around if you decide where to visit starting from Hiratsuka Station’s north exit.
If you plan to stay until night, also check the closing time for each day.
Nearby attractions
三嶋神社
神奈川県平塚市にある神社
Sadori Shrine
神奈川県平塚市にある神社
平塚八幡宮
神奈川県平塚市にある神社
Origins and History of Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival
The origins of the Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival are closely connected to Hiratsuka’s postwar recovery.
A recovery festival was held in July 1950. Later, led by the Hiratsuka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Hiratsuka City Shopping Street Association, the first festival was held in July 1951, modeled on the Sendai Tanabata Festival.
Hiratsuka City took over as organizer from the 7th festival in 1957, and the current name has been used since the 43rd festival in 1993.
Since 2011, the festival’s duration and scale have been reduced due to safety measures and other factors.
Official information
Check Hiratsuka City’s Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival information for official details.
Information is provided on the 2026 event dates, venue area, traffic restrictions, access, and contact details for the organizers.
A link to the festival’s official website is also provided.
Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival at a Glance
The Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival is a summer festival in Hiratsuka City, with Tanabata decorations lining the shopping streets north of Hiratsuka Station.
Enjoy large bamboo decorations, illuminated displays, a decoration contest, and a parade featuring Orihime and a marching band.
In 2026, the festival was held from July 3 through the 5th, and traffic restrictions were in place around the venue.
Visitors are advised to walk from the north exit of Hiratsuka Station and plan to use public transportation.
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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