The 61st annual Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival will be held in the city of Hiratsuka in Kanagawa Prefecture's coastal Shonan area from Friday, July 8. The festival features about 500 brightly colored decorations, and in the main area near JR Hiratsuka Station, there are about 80 ornate decorations that are over a staggering 10 meters tall. Hiratsuka's local flavor comes through with many of the decorations featuring popular athletes, characters and animals.

Date: July 8 (Friday) - 10 (Sunday)

Time: Until 7:00 p.m.

Access: The main area of the festival is the Shonan Star Mall shopping arcade outside the North Exit of JR Hiratsuka Station.