Gyoo

Very sunny Sunday. A perfect weather to go to Hiratsuka, about one hour from Tokyo. July 7th is known as Tanabata matsuri, the Star festival, and Hiratsuka during 4 days is one of the most famous city in Japan for this festival.

The festival traces its origins to a legend that the Cowherd Star (Altair) and Weaver Star (Vega), lovers separated by the Milky Way, are allowed to meet just once a year – on the seventh day of the seventh month.

Streets are decorated with lanterns and colourful streamers, and bamboo poles festooned with paper strips inscribed with wishes (tanzaku), origami, talismans and coloured threads are erected along the streets and outside homes. Have a look at the pictures.