Festival period: August 6-8, every year

This festival represents summer in Sendai where washi-paper is strung on bamboo branches. More than 1,500 decorative bamboo branches, streamers and settings of mechanical dolls form tunnels over the shopping arcades. While the scene is gorgeous and impressive, another highlight is the colorful streamers decorated by citizens in each local area. In the "Hoshi-no Yoi-matsuri" (Star festival) of that evening, brilliant stage performances also occur. The best viewing spot for enjoying the fireworks on the evening of the festival is around Nishi-koen Park.

→ For images of Sendai Tanabata Festival