Thank you so much joining our tour at the East Garden of the Imperial Palace on 6th July,2024! We welcomed 11 guests from USA, Chile, Portugal, France, Canada, Germany and Italy. I hope you all had a good time and enjoyed interesting conversation with each other during the tour. As promised, some photos are attached to remember the fun times we had.
Group A
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Group B
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Group C
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7th July, Tanabata
Tanabata, celebrated on 7thJuly, is the day when the separated lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi can meet by crossing the Milky Way, which only happens once a year. In Japan, people write their wishes on tanzaku (small pieces of paper) and hang them on bamboo branches, entrusting their hopes to the stars.
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While the Tanabata Festivals in Sendai and Hiratsuka are famous, there are several delightful events in central Tokyo as well. Here are a few you can enjoy:
Zojoji Tanabata Festival (near Daimon Station, close to Tokyo Tower)
Experience a magical festival with Japanese paper candles creating a Milky Way and colorful tanzaku. The area is illuminated from 6 PM to 9 PM. You can write your wishes on tanzaku and participate in a special ritual conducted by the chief priest to pray for your wishes at 5:30 PM.
Zojoji Temple Official Website (Japanese)
Zojoji Temple Official Website (English)
Kanda Myojin Tanabata Festival (near Akihabara Station)
Tie your tanzaku to the bamboo branches in front of the main shrine and pray for the fulfillment of your wishes in this traditional Tanabata event. Limited edition “Enmusubi Omamori” (matchmaking charms) are also available for purchase during this period. Reflect on Orihime and Hikoboshi while writing down your wishes. Event starts at 4 PM, free entry.
Kanda Myojin Official Website
Tokyo Daijingu (near Iidabashi Station)
Known as a shrine for matchmaking, Tokyo Daijingu allows visitors to write their wishes on tanzaku. These tanzaku are then tied to bamboo by the priests and shrine maidens and displayed along the corridors. The area is beautifully illuminated at night, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
Tokyo Daijingu Official Website (Japanese)
Tokyo Daijingu Official Website (English)
COREDO Muromachi Terrace Tanabata Yukata Festival (near Nihonbashi Station)
Enjoy the summer festival vibe with bon odori dance, festival stalls, and the unique “Minna no Onegai Goto wo, Nagareboshi ni” project, where you can write your wishes on tanzaku and have them sent to space via a satellite. Also, don’t forget to visit the nearby Fukutoku Shrine.
COREDO Muromachi Terrace Tanabata Yukata Festival
Enjoy Tanabata in Tokyo and may your wishes come true!
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(posted by Kana)