Achi Village in Nagano Prefecture—renowned as Japan's top stargazing destination—will hold the "Japan's Best Stargazing Achi Village Tanabata Festival 2026" from July 1 (Wednesday) to August 31 (Monday), 2026. The festival spans the village, with Hirugami Onsen at its center, and includes bamboo lantern displays, a wish-granting campaign, special accommodation plans, street-walk events, and more.
Event Period: July 1 (Wednesday) – August 31 (Monday), 2026
Schedules vary by activity. Please refer to the official festival website for full details.
Festival Highlights
① Tanabata Illumination: "Glow of Bamboo Lights"
Hours: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Display Locations:
- Hirugami Onsen Resort
- Achi Village Hall / Achi Village Central Community Center
- Japan's Best Stargazing – Namiai Park
During the festival, approximately 1,200 bamboo lanterns crafted from locally harvested bamboo will be displayed throughout the Hirugami Onsen resort, casting a fantastical glow over the nighttime hot spring streets. Visitors can stroll at their own pace and take in the enchanting scenery created by both the star-filled sky and the warm bamboo light.
As a special feature in the main display area, works by bamboo lantern artist Kohei Kawafuchi will be exhibited. In addition, a limited-period lighting collaboration with Ajima-gasa—traditional umbrellas made in Takagi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano—will be presented.
Limited-Period Display: "Ajima-gasa Blooming in Starlight"
Display Period: August 10 (Monday) – August 31 (Monday), 2026
② "Star Village" Wish-Granting Campaign
During the Tanabata festival period, guests staying at participating accommodations in Achi Village can enter to have their wish granted. Three lucky winners will see their wishes come true, and an additional 50 entrants will receive a set of Achi Village local specialties.
Accommodation Stay Period: July 1 (Wednesday) – August 31 (Monday), 2026
Entry Period: July 1 (Wednesday) – September 5 (Saturday) at 11:59 PM
Prizes:
- Prize A: Wish granted – 3 winners
- Prize B: Assortment of Achi Village local specialties – 50 winners
Eligibility: Guests staying at participating village accommodations during the festival period
③ Tanabata Special Accommodation Plans
Special accommodation plans are available during the Tanabata festival, with exclusive benefits at each participating property. Guests on these plans are also eligible to enter the "Star Village" Wish-Granting Campaign.
Bookings made through the official Minami-Shinshu Hirugami Onsen tourism website's Tanabata Special Accommodation Plans include a 1,000 yen coupon redeemable at restaurants and shops within Achi Village (first-come, first-served; valid for up to 1,000 guests; children receive 500 yen).
Plans are available at: https://hirugamionsen.jp/ — navigate to "Stay" to find Tanabata Special Accommodation Plans.
④ Hirugami Onsen Street Walk: "The Wish Lost in the Milky Way"
A special mystery-solving street walk takes place in Hirugami Onsen during the festival. Participants explore the resort on foot, gathering clues scattered throughout the town to solve a story-based puzzle. It's a fun way to experience the hot spring district while putting your wits to the test.
Starting Locations:
- Hirugami Onsen inns and hotels
- Tourism hub ACHI BASE
- SHOP & CAFE & ABOUT HIRUGAMI Hirugami Kiosk
- Achi Village Star Dining
Participation Kit: 300 yen (tax included)
Estimated Duration: Approximately 1 hour
⑤ "Star Village" Tanabata Limited Menu
Participating restaurants and shops in Achi Village will offer special Tanabata-themed menu items during the festival period. Dishes are inspired by stars and wishes, bringing a colorful seasonal flair to dining in the village.
Participating establishments and menu details will be announced on the official festival website.
⑥ Tanzaku Bamboo Wishing Decoration
Tanzaku wish-writing strips are available at more than 20 locations during the festival, including village accommodations, the Hirugami Onsen morning market, Heavens Sonohara (the venue for the Night Tour of the Sky), and Japan's Best Stargazing – Namiai Park. Visitors can write a wish and hang it beneath the glittering night sky.
⑦ "Star Village" Tanabata Limited Goods
Tanabata-limited merchandise will be on sale at gift shops throughout the village during the festival period, offering seasonal souvenirs to take home as a reminder of the trip.
Featured Artists
Bamboo Lantern Artist Kohei Kawafuchi / Designer Ikuyo Kawafuchi (canaarea)
Kohei Kawafuchi and Ikuyo Kawafuchi are the duo behind canaarea, a studio that fuses traditional bamboo materials with a contemporary sensibility. Kohei has won the bamboo lantern contest, and holds the Higashikuninomiya Cultural Award and Mie Prefecture Cultural Award, among other accolades. His installations include a historic first offering at Ise Jingu, as well as performances at Kashihara Jingu, Tanigumizan Kegonji, and Takada Honzan Senjuji. Every piece begins with hand-selecting and felling the bamboo, followed by preparation, design, perforating, and finishing—all done by hand at their studio in Iga City. The result is a gentle, peaceful light that softly warms the hearts of those who encounter it, transforming the atmosphere of each space.
Ajima-gasa Artisans: Yachiyo Nakamura (Suganuma Shoten, 6th Generation) and Maki Mizutani (Ajima-gasa Ichirin)
Ajima-gasa umbrellas have been crafted since the Edo period, with over 100 workshops once sustaining local livelihoods at their peak. Today, Yachiyo Nakamura, the sixth-generation head of Suganuma Shoten, carries on the tradition alone, completing every intricate step—connecting bamboo ribs, applying washi paper, and coating with oil—entirely by hand. Drawn by the craft, Maki Mizutani relocated to the area and established Ajima-gasa Ichirin, bringing new contemporary designs while honoring the inherited techniques. The umbrellas crafted by these two artisans reflect both the cultural heritage and handcraft beauty of this part of Japan.
Official festival website: https://hirugamionsen.jp/star-festival/
