iPhone photos and videos of the beautiful scenery in Japan.

■Visited Date 10:00 – 11:30 of Friday July 7,2017

All of the photos and videos were taken by iPhone.

I went to see the Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival in Hiratsuka city in Japan.
Hiratuska city is located in the center of Kanagawa prefecture.
It makes an easy day trip from Tokyo(Approx. 1.5h from Tokyo station by train).

It is taken place in the summer every year.
This is one of the most famous star festival along with the ones in Sendai city and Anjo city.

It is based on the Chinese legend that only once a year, Hikoboshi (Cow herder) and Orihime (Weaving Princess), two lovers, would be allowed to meet each other at the shores of the heavenly river.
The moment would take place on the night of July 7th in the lunisolar calendar.

They had a lot of Tanabata decorations and strips along the 2 main street near the Hiratsuka station.
The one is Beniya Cho Pearl Road.

Tanabata decorations of Hello Kitty at Beniya Cho Pearl Road.

And the other one is Shonan Star Mall.
This bigger street is the main venue.
The parade by the one thousand of dancers were taken place in this place.

Tanabata Odori Sennin Parade.
Participants of this parade are local people and business promoters who are dressed in colorful outfits.
They proceeded through the festival area with performing the traditional Japanese dance, modern hip-hop ,ballet, brass bands, and baton twirling.
The annual Miss Orihime Tanabata performs dance at the head of parade every year.

I coudn’t go inside the white line.
If I tried to do that, I was stopped by the staffs.
But to take nice pictures of Orihime girls, right in front of them was best.
The member of the press can shoot in that position.
However I found that the place next to the press (like the man in the red circle) was good!

I took this video last year(2016).
I think Orihime girls in this year are prettier than them lol .

There were many food stalls along the street.
They serves local specialties and typical Japanese festival food.

You can eat it with walking or in this free rest area.
It is first come first serve.

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■Visited Date 10:00 – 12:00 of July 8,2014

In 2016 it was held from July 8 to July 10.

They had a lot of decorations along the 2 main street.

They have also many open-air stall that sells food(including local specialties) and souvenirs.

 

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■Information
【Date】
Within three days of 7 July every year.

【Hour】
Until PM8:00x

【Admission Fee】
free

【Access】
2 min. walk from Hiratsuka station of JR line.
(Approx. 1.5 hour from Tokyo station)

【Warning】
Especially in the afternoon, it will be so hot and humid!
So if you go there, take care of your health.