Tanabata, Star Festival

Join us at Portland Japanese Garden on Sunday July 12 for Tanabata, the Star Festival, which is one of five seasonal festivals that has been celebrated in Japan since the eighth century. Each summer in Japan, people prepare for the festival by writing their wishes on narrow strips of paper called tanzaku and hanging them with other origami paper ornaments on bamboo branches displayed at the entrance to their homes and public places. Guests attending Portland Japanese Garden’s Tanabata celebration will be invited to the Yanai Family Classroom to write their own wishes on tanzaku. Volunteers will be present to assist guests with hanging their tanzaku on the bamboo in the Crumpacker Bamboo Allee, adding to the colorful display. The festival will also feature music from Takohachi and storytelling of the Tanabata story.
Warm weather is expected! Be sure to bring water bottles, sun protection, and items to stay cool.
*Wish writing in the Yanai Family Classroom will be open to Members starting at 9:30 am
Learn More - https://japanesegarden.org/pjg-events/tanabata-star-festival/2026-07-12