The “Yokohama Tanabata Festival 2026” will be held on July 4 and 5 for two days at Rinko Park and Pacifico Yokohama (Minato Mirai 1, Nishi-ku, Yokohama).

Last year, it was held for the first time at Yamashita Park (Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku), attracting about 300,000 visitors over two days and gaining attention as a new summer tradition in Yokohama. This year, the second edition, the venue will be moved to Rinko Park and Pacifico Yokohama to alleviate congestion and improve convenience. The scale of the event will be expanded to aim for even greater vibrancy.

At the venue, various content will be offered, including a tanzaku (wish strip) area where visitors can write and display their wishes, a festival game booth area, a gourmet area featuring popular shops from Yokohama, and workshops that can be enjoyed by families.

The highlight project this year is the light performance content “Beam Twister” held at Pacifico Yokohama Exhibition Hall B. Using a beam performance machine developed by Kast, which also handles live performances for Mrs. GREEN APPLE and others, the machine features a three-layer arm structure about 7 meters long equipped with 36 fiber beam devices. Twelve robot arms create three-dimensional light formations, “inviting visitors into a fantasy space.” A collaborative performance with a bubble show is also planned.

A mutual customer attraction campaign will be held with the adjacent “Yokohama Anpanman Children’s Museum.” When presenting an admission ticket for the Yokohama Tanabata Festival at the paid floor entrance of that museum, an original sticker will be distributed.

In addition, the popular character “Gyaru Neko,” which has gained popularity mainly on social media, will also participate. Besides a workshop to decorate original fans, there will be a greeting event with the main character “Tsuna,” and a photo spot will be set up.

An event spokesperson called for visitors, saying, “This year, we have moved the venue to Rinko Park and Pacifico Yokohama and prepared more enriched content, so please come and visit.” Additional content will be announced sequentially in the future.

Event hours are from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on both days. Admission to Rinko Park is free, while the Beam Twister held at Pacifico Yokohama is paid. A complete time-slot replacement system is planned.

Yokohama Tanabata Festival 2026

The Yokohama Tanabata Festival is a vibrant summer celebration based on the Japanese star festival, featuring elaborate, colorful decorations and lively street parades. Originating from a Chinese legend about the annual reunion of two star-crossed lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi, the festival has been held in Yokohama since the 1950s to revitalize the city after World War II. In 2026, the event is expected to continue its tradition of dazzling displays, local food stalls, and fireworks, drawing large crowds to the historic port district.

Rinko Park

Rinko Park is a waterfront park located in Yokohama, Japan, along the scenic coastline of the Port of Yokohama. Developed as part of the city’s redevelopment in the late 20th century, it features open green spaces, walking paths, and views of the iconic Yokohama Bay Bridge. The park is a popular spot for relaxation and events, reflecting Yokohama’s transformation from a historic port town into a modern urban hub.

Pacifico Yokohama

Pacifico Yokohama is a large-scale convention and exhibition complex located in the Minato Mirai 21 district of Yokohama, Japan. Opened in 1991, it was built on reclaimed land as a key part of the city’s urban redevelopment project, and it includes the Yokohama Grand Intercontinental Hotel, a conference center, and exhibition halls. The venue has hosted major international events, such as the 2010 APEC summit, and serves as a hub for business, culture, and entertainment.

Yamashita Park

Yamashita Park is a waterfront park in Yokohama, Japan, opened in 1930 on land reclaimed from the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. It offers scenic views of Yokohama Bay and features the preserved ocean liner Hikawa Maru, as well as monuments commemorating the city’s international connections. The park remains a popular spot for relaxation and sightseeing.

Yokohama Anpanman Children’s Museum

The Yokohama Anpanman Children’s Museum is an interactive indoor museum dedicated to the beloved Japanese cartoon character Anpanman, created by Takashi Yanase. Opened in 2007, the museum features themed play areas, shops, and a café, designed to entertain young children with hands-on activities and character encounters. It celebrates the enduring popularity of Anpanman, a superhero made of bread who has been a staple of Japanese children’s culture since the 1970s.

Beam Twister

The Beam Twister is a unique and whimsical architectural feature found in the historic city of Chester, England. Dating back to the early 20th century, it was created as an optical illusion to make a narrow medieval street appear wider, twisting a horizontal wooden beam vertically to fit the space. This clever design reflects Chester’s rich history of blending medieval timber-framed buildings with innovative solutions to urban challenges.

Kast

Kast is a historic village located on the Greek island of Kea (Tzia), known for its well-preserved Cycladic architecture and charming narrow alleyways. Its history dates back to ancient times, with evidence of settlement from the Classical period, and it flourished during the Venetian era as a fortified settlement. Today, Kast offers visitors a glimpse into traditional Greek island life, with stone houses, terraced gardens, and scenic views of the Aegean Sea.