Asakusa's Kappabashi – the famed mecca for Tokyo chefs and homecooks looking to kit out their kitchens – is festooned with vibrantly coloured streamers and decorations during this annual summer festival. Though it runs from July 4 to 8, the best time to visit the Shitamachi Tanabata Matsuri is over the July 6-7 weekend, when local businesses put out stalls and hold parades and street performances.
The street parade on July 6 will begin at 1.15pm near the Ueno Gakuen Junior and Senior High School, and slowly make its way through Kappabashi Main Street towards Asakusa. Expect to see police and primary school marching bands plus a special appearance by the Metropolitan Police's all-female motorcycle brigade.
On Sunday July 7, the actual day of Tanabata, Kappabashi will be hosting street performances of all sorts throughout the day, ranging from Hula to Awa-Odori dances.