Anjo Tanabata Festival

Overview

The Anjo Tanabata Matsuri is a summer festival held annually in early August in Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture. It is recognized as one of the "Three Great Tanabata Festivals of Japan," alongside the Sendai Tanabata and the Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Matsuri. The first festival was held in 1954, and it has been continued for many years as a citizen-initiated, handmade festival. During the festival period, approximately 1,000 bamboo decorations stand along the shopping streets around JR Anjo Station, attracting over one million visitors over the three days.

The most distinctive feature of this festival is its concept of focusing on "wishes" through bamboo decorations and tanzaku (wish strips). Since 2009, the festival has adopted the theme of "Japan's Number One for Wishes" and has been putting effort into enriching events related to wishes. In 2013, the festival challenged the Guinness World Record for the "Most tanzaku on a single bamboo" and achieved the record with 13,809 strips. The Anjo Tanabata Matsuri is said to have the longest street of bamboo decorations in Japan, and it prides itself on having the highest number of tanzaku strips and wish-related events.

History and Origins

The origins of the Anjo Tanabata Matsuri date back to 1954. At that time, Anjo City had just been incorporated as a city in 1952, and local shopkeepers sought to create a vibrant summer event. The Honmachi Hakkinkai, an association of shop owners in the Honmachi district, took the lead in proposing the festival plan. The background of the proposal was the strong desire of the local shopping district to create a summer event in conjunction with the festival of Tsushima Shrine in Honmachi. Preparations proceeded with the involvement of other shopping districts, and after visiting other cities' Tanabata festivals and collecting reference materials, the first Anjo Tanabata Matsuri was held.

The first festival was a great success, attracting many people to the shopping streets and filling them with energy. Following this success, the festival was held annually, and the number of participating districts and people increased year by year. In 1959, the Anjo Tanabata Matsuri Kyosankai (cooperative association) was formed, establishing the festival's current style. All festival operations were carried out by citizens, with large bamboo decorations being handmade one by one and stage events being prepared. This tradition of citizen involvement has been passed down through generations.

In 1978, the Anjo Tanabata Matsuri experienced a major turning point. That year, the festival's carefully crafted bamboo decorations were presented at the "National Local Festival" commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This presentation served as an opportunity for the Anjo Tanabata Matsuri to be recognized as one of the "Three Great Tanabata Festivals of Japan" alongside Sendai and Hiratsuka, becoming known nationwide. However, even after becoming one of the Three Great Tanabata Festivals, the festival's nature as a citizen-made event remained unchanged. The tradition of citizens gathering to decorate the bamboo on the eve of the festival continues to be cherished today.

In 1988, the festival period was changed from four days to three days. In 2009, the festival's concept was changed to "Japan's Number One for Wishes," with a focus on achieving the highest rankings in the length of the bamboo decoration street, the number of tanzaku strips, and the number of wish-related events. In 2013, as a culmination of this concept, the festival challenged the Guinness World Record. Although verification could not be completed during the festival period, the record was certified on December 24 of the same year with 13,809 strips. The Anjo Tanabata Matsuri continues to place emphasis on enriching wish-related events, considering them as valuable assets cultivated throughout its long history.

Highlights

Bamboo Decoration Street Approximately 1,000 bamboo decorations stand along the shopping streets around JR Anjo Station. These bamboo decorations are carefully decorated one by one by citizens on the eve of the festival. The sight of bamboo decorations reaching heights of five meters creates a cherished summer night tradition.

Wish Plaza A "Wish Plaza" is set up at the main venue of the festival, where visitors can write their wishes on tanzaku strips and hang them on the bamboo. People write wishes for themselves and their families' health and tie them to the bamboo. This plaza serves as a space symbolizing the festival's theme of "Japan's Number One for Wishes."

Guinness World Record Bamboo The bamboo that achieved the Guinness World Record with 13,809 tanzaku strips in 2013 has become a symbolic presence of the festival. This record demonstrates the festival's sincere commitment to wishes. Displays of the record-challenging bamboo and efforts to aim for new records continue to this day.

Marching Parade During the festival period, a citizen-participation marching parade is held. Local elementary and junior high school brass bands and baton twirling teams perform with vibrant music and routines. This parade is a symbolic event where citizens come together to enliven the festival.

Dance Battle A dance battle involving citizen groups is also a popular event of the festival. Teams of various age groups, from young people to adults, participate and deliver passionate performances. This event adds a contemporary entertainment element to the festival.

Handmade Bamboo Decoration Experience Workshops where visitors can experience making bamboo decorations are also held during the festival. Participants can learn techniques for decorating bamboo in addition to writing wishes on tanzaku strips. This experience plays a role in passing on the tradition of the citizen-participation festival to the next generation.

Nighttime Bamboo Decoration Illumination After sunset, the bamboo decorations are illuminated, creating a fantastical atmosphere. The beauty of the bamboo decorations, showing a different expression from daytime, captivates many visitors. This illumination is an important presentation of the festival that creates a midsummer night's dream world.

Event Information and Access

• Event Dates: The festival is held annually on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in early August. The specific dates vary each year, so it is necessary to check the official website for the latest schedule.
• Venue: The area around JR Anjo Station and the surrounding shopping streets. The central city area of Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture, serves as the venue.
• Access (Train): Get off at JR Tokaido Main Line "Anjo Station" and walk a short distance. From Nagoya Station, it takes approximately 20 minutes by rapid train and approximately 30 minutes by local train.
• Access (Car): Approximately 30 minutes from the Tomei Expressway "Okazaki IC" or "Otowa Gamagori IC." During the festival period, surrounding roads are congested, so use of public transportation is recommended.
• Parking: Temporary parking lots may be available, but spaces are limited. It is advisable to check the official website in advance for details.
• Admission Fee: Free. Viewing the bamboo decorations and participating in events are free of charge.
• Confirmation of Latest Information: For the latest information on the festival schedule, implementation status, and event changes, be sure to check the official Anjo Tanabata Matsuri website (anjo-tanabata.jp).

Surrounding Area Information

Around the Anjo Tanabata Matsuri venue, there are various spots where visitors can experience the history and culture of Anjo City. Within walking distance from Anjo Station, Tsushima Shrine in the Honmachi district, the birthplace of the festival, is located, allowing visitors to feel the origins of the event. The Anjo City Historical Museum also holds exhibitions where visitors can learn about the history of the Anjo Tanabata Matsuri and the changes in bamboo decorations.

Anjo City is also known as a thriving agricultural region. There are direct sales outlets selling local agricultural products and facilities where visitors can experience farming. In particular, the brand agricultural products of Anjo, such as "Anjo negi" (green onions) and "Anjo ichijiku" (figs), are in season during the festival period, and visitors can enjoy them. Anjo Park is also a popular relaxation spot for citizens, suitable for taking a break during the festival.

Furthermore, Anjo City is conveniently located with good access to Nagoya City and Okazaki City. Visitors can explore Nagoya's tourist attractions such as Nagoya Castle and the Tokugawa Art Museum, or Okazaki's sightseeing spots including Okazaki Castle and the Hatcho Miso breweries, before or after the festival. Using the JR Tokaido Main Line, travel to Toyohashi and Hamamatsu areas is also easy, making it possible to enjoy sightseeing in eastern Aichi Prefecture with the Anjo Tanabata Matsuri as a base point.

Related Information

• Three Great Tanabata Festivals of Japan: The Anjo Tanabata Matsuri is recognized as one of the "Three Great Tanabata Festivals of Japan" along with the Sendai Tanabata (Miyagi Prefecture) and the Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Matsuri (Kanagawa Prefecture). The presentation of bamboo decorations at the 1978 National Local Festival served as the catalyst for this designation.
• Guinness World Record: On December 24, 2013, the record for the "Most tanzaku on a single bamboo" was certified with 13,809 strips. This record symbolizes the Anjo Tanabata Matsuri's concept of being Japan's number one for wishes.
• Citizen-Initiated Festival: Since the first festival in 1954, the event has been operated primarily by shopkeepers in the area around JR Anjo Station. It is characterized by being a handmade festival created by citizens, rather than being led by large corporations or municipal governments.
• Handmade Bamboo Decorations: The bamboo decorations used in the festival are handmade one by one by citizens. This tradition is carried on as a scene where citizens gather to decorate the bamboo on the eve of the festival.
• Japan's Number One for Wishes: Since 2009, the festival's theme has been set as "Japan's Number One for Wishes," with efforts focused on enriching wish-related events. The festival prides itself on having the longest street of bamboo decorations and the highest number of tanzaku strips in Japan.
• Changes in Festival Period: Until 1987, the festival was held for four days, but from 1988, it was changed to a three-day event. It is currently held from Friday to Sunday.
• Formation of the Cooperative Association: In 1959, the Anjo Tanabata Matsuri Kyosankai (cooperative association) was formed, establishing the current operational structure of the festival. This organization has supported the continuation and development of the festival.
• Information Confirmation on Official Website: Detailed schedules, event content, and access information for the festival are regularly updated on the official Anjo Tanabata Matsuri website (anjo-tanabata.jp). It is recommended to check the latest information before visiting.

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