Tanabata (七夕) is celebrated in Japan by writing wishes on thin strips of paper and hanging them on bamboo trees. Young girls also don yukata when they go out at night to watch the fireworks.

Also known as the Japanese Star Festival, is the meeting of the lovers Princess Orihime (the star Vega) and Hikoboshi the Cowherd (the star Altair) in the night sky every year on 7th July.

According to legend, Orihime’s father did not approve of the lovers’ relationship, so he separated them by putting a river of stars in between them. Orihime begged her father to let them see each other at least once an year, and Orihime’s father relented.

Happy Tanabata Festival!