The Iwaki Tanabata Festival is a traditional event that has continued since the early Showa period and was renamed from "Taira Tanabata Festival" to its current name in 2019. The Iwaki Tanabata Festival originated in the early 1930s when elaborate decorations by local businesses, such as the 77 Bank and Nanba Clinic, gained popularity. In 1934, it evolved into a town-wide event to replace a traditional ritual that was cancelled due to road modernization. Although the festival was suspended in 1938 due to World War II, it was successfully revived in 1948 despite post-war shortages, introducing decoration competitions to mark its return.

By the mid-20th century, the festival had become more luxurious with various contests, and in 2006, the "Iwaki Odori" dance event was added to the festivities. Notably, after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, the community—including evacuees from nuclear-affected areas—came together to hold the festival despite the crisis, demonstrating remarkable resilience.

Event Period: Every Year August 6th ~ 8th, 10:00 to 21:00

The venue of the event: Iwaki Station Daira Shopping Street

Address: 〒 970-8026 In Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture

Organization: Iwaki Tanabata Festival Executive Committee

Streets with elaborate bamboo decorations are created by local shopping districts. Various exciting events are held at multiple locations throughout the festival

Main events

6th: "Iwaki Tanabata Festival Dance Evening" - featuring local traditional performing arts groups

7th: "Taira Bon Odori" (Bon Dancing) - around a festival tower (yagura) - open for everyone to join

8th: Grand Finale: "Iwaki Odori" (Dancing) - Perfect chance to wear a yukata and enjoy the authentic summer vibe!