Experience Tanabata in Tokyo 2026 | Wishes, Traditional Japanese Sweets (Konpeito) & Floral Art at HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU
This time, we’re sharing the Tanabata event (2026) you can enjoy in Nezu — a Tokyo neighborhood that still holds on to its old-town charm.
Write a wish on a tanzaku, take in the decorations made just for Tanabata, and experience traditional Japanese culture in a relaxed, easygoing way.
Why not spend this summer in Nezu, soaking up the seasonal spirit of a truly Japanese tradition?
What is Tanabata?
“Tanabata” is a traditional Japanese festival with over 1,000 years of history, celebrated every year on July 7th. It is based on a beautiful legend in which Orihime (the Weaver Star) and Hikoboshi (the Cowherd Star), separated by the Milky Way, are able to meet just once a year. It has long been cherished as a quintessential symbol of summer.
As Tanabata approaches, streets, shopping districts, and shrines are adorned with colorful bamboo decorations and paper strips called “tanzaku.” People write their wishes — for good health, success at work, love, and family happiness — on these strips and hang them on bamboo branches. In the evening, they gaze up at the Milky Way and offer their prayers to the stars.
Tanabata Event at HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU | June 23 – July 7
From Monday, June 23 to Tuesday, July 7 (Tanabata), we’ve set up bamboo branches and tanzaku wish cards in our entrance.
Everyone is welcome — hotel guests from around the world, local residents, and visitors to our café.
Staying with us? You’ll find a tanzaku in your room!
Staying with us? You’ll find a tanzaku in your room! Take your time thinking about your wish, then come hang it on the bamboo whenever you’re ready.
Write a Wish, Get Konpeito!
Everyone who writes a wish card will receive Konpeito — traditional Japanese star-shaped sugar candy from a long-loved local confectionery.
With their star-like shape, Konpeito are the perfect Tanabata treat, evoking the night sky and the Milky Way.
Enjoy the sweet taste of summer after making your wish!
5 Colors of Tanzaku | Which Color Matches Your Wish?
The Milky Way in Bloom | Tanabata Floral Art by “soco” from Sendagi
In our entrance, you’ll also find a stunning floral installation created by “soco,” a flower shop based in nearby Sendagi. Designed so that even guests unfamiliar with Tanabata can instantly feel its world, the piece brings the Milky Way to life through flowers.
Red hydrangeas represent Orihime (織姫 / the Weaver Star), blue hydrangeas represent Hikoboshi (彦星 / the Cowherd Star). Annabelle green hydrangeas and smoke trees trace the flowing Milky Way (天の川), creating a dreamlike, dynamic atmosphere.
Two stars who can only meet once a year. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, and their bond shines all the more beautifully for it — that’s the romance woven into this piece. Please stop and take it in when you visit.
Flowers used:
- Hydrangea (Verena Antique, Ruby Antique, Annabelle Green)
- Smoke Tree (Peach Fur).
About “soco”
“soco” is a flower shop in Sendagi offering seasonal flowers, vases, and vessels, as well as pop-up events and market appearances.
Owner Sonoko Fukui spent 10 years working as a care worker before moving to Tokyo to pursue her passion for flowers. She began selling at Kitte-dori in 2021 and opened her first permanent shop in Sendagi in October 2025. Her arrangements are known for their natural, seasonal beauty — each visit feels a little different.
In May, she also took part in “GRAPHY GARAGE,” an event held right here at HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU. Check out her Instagram for a peek at her work.
＜soco Shop Info＞
Address: 2-48-11 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Every other Sat & Sun, 12:00–18:00 (subject to change) ※ Closed July & August
Instagram: @soco.11
Please check Instagram for the latest hours and dates.
Join a Local Festival! The 39th Shitamachi Tanabata Festival
Just 25 minutes from the hotel (walk + one train), you can enjoy the historic Shitamachi Tanabata Festival, running since 1988. Kappabashi-hondori, the street connecting Ueno and Asakusa, is lined with colorful Tanabata decorations, local food stalls, and parades.
Vibrant and lively by day, magically lit up by evening — it’s a festival with two completely different faces. A perfect addition to your Yanesen stroll or Asakusa sightseeing!
＜39th Shitamachi Tanabata Festival＞
Dates: Friday, July 3 – Tuesday, July 7, 2026 (Main days: July 4 & 5)
Location: Kappabashi-hondori, Taito-ku
Access: 3 min walk from Tsukuba Express “Asakusa” / 5 min walk from JR “Ueno,” Tokyo Metro “Tawaramachi,” “Inaricho,” or “Iriya”
Official website is here!
Make Your Wish in Nezu This Summer.
Through tanzaku, konpeito, the Milky Way floral installation, and a local festival, you’ll discover the magic of Tanabata in a truly Japanese way.
We hope this becomes one of the most treasured memories of your trip. We look forward to welcoming you at HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU!
■HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU
＜Hotel Overview＞
Name: HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU
Address: 4-5-10 Ikenohata, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0008
Access: 3-minute walk from Nezu Station (Chiyoda Line)
Web | Instagram
<Cafe Information>
Name: GRAPHY NEZU CAFE & LOUNGE
Address: HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU 1F, 4-5-10 Ikenohata, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0008
Hours:
・Breakfast: 7:30–11:00 (L.O. 10:30)
・Lunch: 11:00–14:00
・Dinner: 17:00–22:00 (L.O. 21:30)
Closed: Irregular (Generally open daily during the above hours)