Japanese festivals capture a wide variety of moods but Tanabata (七夕) is maybe the most magical, particularly the evening illuminations. The festival was originally introduced from China in around the 8th century but has since undergone various changes to become a uniquely Japanese celebration. Also known as the Star Festival, Tanabata is based on the Chinese legend of the princess and the cowherd. In the Japanese version, celestial lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented [...] Read more »