2023 Tanabata / The Star Festival Event (This Ancient Tradition of Writing Wishes or Prayers Comes From the Edo Period)NEW

The Star Festival commemorates the one day a year the star-crossed lovers Orihime, the Weaver Star (Vega), and Hikoboshi, the Cowherder Star (Altair) meet in the sky.

Visitors can write a wish to add to the colorful display of tanzaku, or wish strips, hanging from bamboo in the Garden’s Crumpacker Bamboo Allee. Visitors will also have the chance to hear the Tanabata story and listen to a taiko performance.

Tanabata was inspired by an ancient Chinese folk legend. In it, Orihime and Hikoboshi were in love but were banished by Orihime’s father the Sky King to opposite ends of the Milky Way for neglecting their work to spend time together. Moved by his daughter’s sorrow over this, the Sky King allowed them to meet just once a year on the 7th night of the 7th month. On this night a flock of magpies use their wings to form a bridge so that the Orihime can cross the Milky Way to be united with Hikoboshi. The magpies will only make the bridge if July 7 is a clear night; if it rains, they must wait another year. Because of this legend, many Japanese people pray for a clear night on July 7.

Tanabata is one of five seasonal festivals celebrated in Japan since the 8th century.

Event Date
July 2, 2023 - Sunday

Event Time
Check Time

Event Location
Portland Japanese Garden611 S.W. Kingston Ave., Portland, OR 97205

Event Title
Tanabata / The Star Festival Event (This Ancient Tradition of Writing Wishes or Prayers Comes From the Edo Period)