「光の天の川」京の七夕が開幕 堀川・鴨川でIn the former canal that runs alongside and below Horikawa Dori will be the third annual Tanabata festival of light from August 3 - 13.
The once concreted over canal is now a lovely path with grass, plantings, and a small river.
This year there will be also be lighting along the Kamo River as well.
For those heading to Horikawa, the lighting will be set up from Shimodachiuri to Demizu streets. There will be an arch made of bamboo and 85,000 LED lights under which you can stroll.
Tanabata, or "Evening of the Seventh," is the Japanese star festival. Once a year, the stars Vega and Altair "meet" or cross in the heavens. According to Chinese legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers for the rest of the year.
Thus, on this one night only are they are allowed to meet - on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.
In most areas of Japan, this is celebrated on July 7, following the Gregorian calendar, but the Horikawa light up has followed the lunisolar calendar and thus it is later.© CycleKyoto.com
Tags Japan Touring Kyoto Cycle Japanese
