The “Yokohama Tanabata Festival 2025 at Yamashita Park” will be held for the first time on July 5th and 6th at Yamashita Park (Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama) and the square in front of the Yokohama Marine Tower.
The event will be divided into daytime and evening segments, featuring family-friendly activities such as a “children’s festival” and workshops, along with food trucks. In the Tanabata area, visitors can write their wishes on strips of paper and hang them up. After 7 PM, projection mapping will be added to create a romantic atmosphere.
Stage performances will include street performances and shows by local children, featuring music and dance. On the 5th at 6:20 PM, singer Hitomi Shimatani will perform, and on the 6th at 6:20 PM, enka singer Leon Shinbama will take the stage.
On the evening of the 5th, with the cooperation of the Japan Sky Lantern Association, 400 sky lanterns will be released into the air starting at 7:20 PM.
Nearby facilities will also participate: the Yokohama Marine Tower will be lit up in a Tanabata-themed display and offer a special “Yokohama Tanabata Festival ‘Wish’ Set” (¥2,500), which includes a key-shaped wish strip and a pair of tickets. The wedding venue “Aniversaire Minato Mirai Yokohama” will host a candlelight night event from 7:15 PM to 8:30 PM on both days.
The event will run from 10 AM to 9 PM. In case of rain on the 5th, the sky lantern release will be postponed to the 6th.
Yokohama Tanabata Festival 2025
The **Yokohama Tanabata Festival 2025** is a vibrant summer celebration held in Yokohama, Japan, based on the traditional Tanabata (Star Festival) legend of star-crossed lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi. The festival features colorful streamer decorations, live performances, food stalls, and wish-writing on tanzaku paper. Originating from Chinese folklore and adapted in Japan, the Yokohama version blends historical customs with modern entertainment, drawing thousands of visitors to the city’s Naka Ward.
Yamashita Park
Yamashita Park is a scenic waterfront park located in Yokohama, Japan, established in 1930 after the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923. It was built on reclaimed land using debris from the earthquake and offers stunning views of Yokohama Bay, the Hikawa Maru ship museum, and the iconic Marine Tower. The park is a popular spot for leisurely walks, cultural events, and enjoying the blend of historical and modern attractions.
Yokohama Marine Tower
The Yokohama Marine Tower is a 106-meter-high landmark in Yokohama, Japan, completed in 1961 as the world’s tallest inland lighthouse. Built to commemorate the port city’s 100th anniversary, it features a distinctive red and white design and offers panoramic views of Yokohama Bay. Though briefly closed in the 2000s, it was renovated and reopened in 2009, remaining a symbol of the city’s maritime heritage.
Japan Sky Lantern Association
The Japan Sky Lantern Association promotes the cultural tradition of sky lanterns, which are often released during festivals and memorial events in Japan. These lanterns, symbolizing hopes and prayers, have roots in Buddhist and Shinto customs, dating back centuries. The association works to preserve this practice while ensuring safety and environmental responsibility.
Aniversaire Minato Mirai Yokohama
“Aniversaire Minato Mirai Yokohama” refers to the anniversary celebrations of Yokohama’s Minato Mirai district, a vibrant waterfront area known for its modern architecture, shopping, and entertainment. Developed in the 1980s on former docklands, Minato Mirai (“Harbor of the Future”) symbolizes Yokohama’s transformation into a cosmopolitan city. Annual anniversary events often feature fireworks, light displays, and cultural performances, highlighting the area’s blend of innovation and maritime history.
