Once upon a time, according to Chinese legend, there lived a young weaver named Vega and a youthful cowherd named Altair somewhere in the galaxy. They fell in love with each other. Vega was very much lovesick for Altair, so she began to neglect her weaving. A god of the galaxy didn’t like it and put the Milky Way between them to separate Vega from Altair. The only chance they can get together is on the night of July 7th of every year.
One of the five season-related celebrations, Tanabata was first introduced into Japan in the 8th century and became popular during the Edo Period (1603-1867). Modern-day Tanabata is celebrated by writing one’s wishes on strips of colored paper called Tanzaku’s, which are then hanged on branches of leafy bamboo stems and put outside at night. However, after Japan adopted the solar calendar in the beginning of the Meiji Period (1868-1912), the festival consequently fell in rainy season. In Tohoku, it is celebrated in August to avoid rain.
Shopping streets of downtown Maebashi showcase beautifully decorated bamboo branches for the occasion. Local product fair adds to the festive mood throughout the day and into the night.
| When | July 8 (Thurs.) thru 11 (Sun.) |
|---|---|
| Where | Shopping streets of downtown Maebashi |
| Access | [By train/By bus] 10-minute walk from JR Maebashi Station [By car] Maebashi Exit of Kanetsu Expwy → Route 17 → Central Maebashi (5km away) MAP |
| Contact | 027-234-5108 |
Honmachi-dori Avenue showcases spectacular bamboo branches decorated by hand in every color of the rainbow and fluttering in the wind. Lip-smacking snacks and local specialties await you at many food stalls which fill up the avenue.
| When | July 17 (Sat.) & 18 (Sun.) 13:00~22:00 (Subject to change without notice) |
|---|---|
| Where | Hon-machi, Isesaki-shi and its surrounding area |
| Access | 5-min walk from JR Isesaki Station MAP |
| Contact | 0270-25-1311 |
3,000 fireworks will be shot up in the air from the surface of Lake Haruna at the closing Toro-Nagashi, a lantern floating on Lake Haruna, Buddhist rites in which people write the name(s) of their deceased loved ones on a small paper lantern and then place it in the water. The Haruna Festival offers the dazzling spectacle of beautiful fireworks reflecting off the surface of the lake and echoing throughout the valleys surrounding Haruna Mountain. Make it one of your most memorable festivals of the summer season.
| When | August 6 (Fri.) |
|---|---|
| Where | Haruna Lakeside, Harunako-machi, Takasaki-shi |
| Access | Take Gunma Bus for Lake Haruna, leaving the West Exit of JR Takasaki Station MAP |
| Contact | 027-374-5111 |
The excursion is a too-good-to-miss opportunity for sweet shop-goers, which makes the round of Takasaki’s six top picks for cakes and confectioneries and offers you a moment of feast on the local produce.
| When | August 6 (Fri.) |
|---|---|
| Where | Assemble at JR Takasaki Station |
| Tour description | It’s a guided tour, but only Japanese is spoken. |
| Itinerary | Assemble at JR Takasaki Station →Gateau Festa Harada (factory tour & shopping) → Million Confectionery(baked goods) →Chinese Fan(original Chinese sweets lunch)→Egg Market Rantarou(cream puffs)→House-Roasted Coffe, Caravan (coffee & homemade cakes) →Domremy Outlet(cup cakes) → Return to JR Takasaki Station and disassemble |
| Fee | 6,100 yen (Both for adults and children) Reservation is required. Please call us at (027) 243-7271 (8:30-17:15 on weekdays) or email us at gtia-intlgrp@gtia.jp. Ask for English-speaking staff. |
| How to pay | After your reservation is confirmed, we will send you Tour Conditions, along with a payment slip. Please pay the fee by the due date specified on it. |
| Cancellation of Travel Contract by the Client | A cancellation fee will be charged. Please call our English-speaking staff for more details. |
| Cancellation of Travel Contracts and Travel Operation by GTIA | It will be canceled if numbers are insufficient, in which case you will receive a full refund. Please call our English-speaking staff for more details. |
For more information on other GTIA-organized Japanese-speaking one-day tours with Gunma destinations, visit the URL below.
http://gtia.jp/habatake/
Dinosaur Kingdom Nakasato consists of nine different zones and is a wonderland for dinosaur lovers. You can experience excavating rare varieties of fossils there, and if you are successful, the fossils are yours to take home. Dress casually and have fun!
| When | <Dinosaur Kingdom Nakasato> Closed on Mondays, except during summer break 9:00-16:30 <Fossil Excavation Workshop> Weekends only (Reservations are recommended as they are not open on every weekend.) 10:00-12:00; 13:00-16-00 |
|---|---|
| Where | Dinosaur Kingdom Nakasato |
| Fee | Admission fee: 600 yen for adults & 300 yen for junior high schoolers and under Workshop fee: 500 yen/hour; 1,000 yen/2 hours (No fees are required for guardians) |
| Access | 51-2 Oaza Kagahara, Kanna-machi, Tano-gun MAP |
| Contact | 0274-58-2829 |
