Sendai Tanabata Festival Area

Each August, millions of elaborate paper streamers transform Sendai's covered shopping arcades into cascading rivers of color for Japan's most spectacular Tanabata celebration. Dating back to the Date clan era, this star festival features intricately handcrafted decorations that can take months to create, each shop competing to display the most magnificent kusudama balls and swooping streamers. The three-day festival draws over two million visitors who wander through tunnels of paper artistry beneath the arcade roofs.