Tanabata, or the star festival, is held on the 7th day of the 7th month of the year. This is the day when two mythological star crossed lovers are permitted to meet each other. For the rest of the year they are separated by the Milky Way.

The festival in Maebashi is little more than some cute decorations made by elementary schoolers and a big excuse for vendors to come and line the streets selling octopus balls, donuts shaped like Anpanman and Doraemon, chocolate covered bananas, and Pokemon balloons. But it attracted a lot of people. Quiet little Maebashi was filled to the brim, elbow-to-elbow people jostling each other. (more…)