Every summer, the shopping streets north of JR Hiratsuka Station disappear beneath a canopy of color. For three days in early July, roughly 500 handmade tanabata kazari — giant paper-and-bamboo streamers, some stretching over ten meters — turn ordinary storefronts into tunnels of shimmering foil, origami cranes and tissue-paper flowers. This is the Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival, now in its 74th year and still one of the largest Tanabata celebrations in the Kanto region.
The festival dates back to 1951, when Hiratsuka's merchants launched it as a way to revive the city's post-war economy. Inspired by Sendai's famous Tanabata Matsuri, they created their own tradition — and over the decades it has grown into an event that draws well over a million visitors across a single weekend. The 2026 edition runs from Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5.
The main stage is Shonan Star Mall (湘南スターモール), the covered shopping arcade that stretches from Hiratsuka Station's north exit. Walking beneath the decorations feels like stepping inside a paper jewelry box: each streamer is designed and built by a different shop, neighborhood association or school, and the competition for the most elaborate design is fierce. Look for streamers featuring pop culture characters, traditional motifs and topical themes — past editions have included everything from beloved anime heroes to pandas and sumo wrestlers. The craftsmanship is remarkable: layers of washi paper, metallic foil and hand-folded origami combine into structures that sway gently overhead, catching light from every direction.
Beyond Shonan Star Mall, side streets and the broad Meinu-dori avenue are also lined with decorations. In total, the festival zone covers a roughly 500-meter radius from the station. Along the way you will find hundreds of yatai (food stalls) selling yakisoba, takoyaki, kakigori shaved ice, grilled corn, chocolate bananas and Hiratsuka's own local specialties. The atmosphere is pure Japanese summer matsuri: families in yukata, children reaching for goldfish scooping games, taiko drums echoing between buildings.
A central stage near the Star Mall hosts live performances throughout the festival — traditional dance, local band concerts, cheerleading troupes and the crowning of that year's Orihime (the Weaver Star princess, the heroine of the Tanabata legend). On Friday and Saturday evenings the illuminated decorations stay up until 8:30 PM, creating a dreamy nighttime corridor that is the festival's most photographed scene. Sunday wraps up a bit earlier at 7:00 PM.
Hiratsuka sits on the JR Tokaido Line, roughly 60 minutes from Tokyo Station and 30 minutes from Yokohama. During the festival, trains are frequent but expect packed platforms, especially on Saturday afternoon and evening. If you are coming from Shinjuku, the Odakyu Line to Hon-Atsugi and a transfer to the JR line is an alternative, though the direct JR route is simpler. The festival area is entirely walkable from Hiratsuka Station's north exit — just follow the crowd.
A few tips for making the most of your visit. Arrive by early afternoon if you want to photograph the decorations in daylight before the crowds peak. Saturday is the busiest day; Friday afternoon offers a slightly calmer experience with the same full lineup of decorations. Wear comfortable shoes — you will be walking on asphalt in summer heat — and bring a hand towel and a water bottle. There is almost no shade outside the covered arcade sections. If you plan to eat at the yatai, bring cash; most stalls do not accept electronic payment.
The festival is entirely free to attend. There are no tickets, no reserved areas, no wristbands — just walk in and enjoy.
For visitors who want to extend the day, Hiratsuka is the gateway to the broader Shonan coast. Chigasaki's laid-back surf beaches are one stop west, and Enoshima island — with its sea caves, shrine stairways and views of Mount Fuji — is a 20-minute train ride east via Fujisawa. Combining a morning at Enoshima with an afternoon and evening at the Tanabata festival makes for an ideal Shonan summer day trip.
The Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival is one of those events that proves a great matsuri does not need fireworks or portable shrines. The magic is simpler: handmade art, street food, summer twilight, and a million people sharing the same joyful corridor of color.
Image: Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival decorations, CC BY-SA 4.0, by 江戸村のとくぞう, via Wikimedia Commons
