Private multi-day tour · Multi-day from Tokyo
From Tokyo: 3-Day Sendai Tanabata Customizable Tour
Two Tohoku summer festivals in one trip: flower-hat dancers at the Yamagata Hanagasa parade and the giant paper streamers of Sendai Tanabata.
Private · your group only◆3 days◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private tour, so the route is flexible: tell us if you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby.
The experience
A private journey, thoughtfully paced
Early August is festival time in Tohoku, the north of Japan. This tour joins two of the biggest summer events on the one day they overlap. The Yamagata Hanagasa Festival runs on August 5 to 7, and Sendai Tanabata runs on August 6 to 8. We visit on August 6 and 7.
In Yamagata, thousands of dancers in matching cotton robes move down the main street holding hats decorated with red safflowers. Drummers on floats call out a rhythmic chant, and the parade runs through the evening. Your guide finds a good public place on the route to watch.
In Sendai, the shopping arcades of Chuo-dori and Ichibancho are filled with huge paper streamers, some many metres long, made by local shops and schools. You walk under them at your own pace. Your guide explains the Tanabata star legend behind the decorations.
Between the festivals we visit Zuihoden, the richly painted mausoleum of the warlord Date Masamune, set in a cedar forest. Entry is included. Watching both festivals in the street is free.
You book your own hotel in Yamagata or Sendai for the two nights. Hotels fill up very early for these dates, so book your room as soon as you can.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One family or group of 1 to 6 people per van, never shared with strangers. Your driver-guide speaks English, and also Hindi and Urdu.
If the Yamagata Hanagasa parade or Sendai Tanabata is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit Zuihoden, Yamadera's mountain steps or Matsushima Bay in the same area.
DAY 1 Hotel pickup in Tokyo and drive north to Yamagata (about 5 hours). Evening: Yamagata Hanagasa parade (Aug 6).
DAY 2 Drive to Sendai, visit Zuihoden, then walk the Tanabata streamers in the Chuo-dori and Ichibancho arcades (Aug 7).
DAY 3 Morning free time in Sendai and the drive back to your Tokyo hotel.
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- Watch flower-hat dancers in the Yamagata Hanagasa evening parade
- Walk under giant paper streamers in Sendai's Tanabata arcades
- Visit Zuihoden, the painted mausoleum of Date Masamune
- Hear the star legend behind the Tanabata festival
- Two big Tohoku festivals timed for the one overlap day
Said plainly
Tour dates: August 6 to 8. Hanagasa runs August 5 to 7 and Tanabata runs August 6 to 8 each year. Parade viewing is from public street spaces. Reserved seats are not included. Early August is hot and the streets are crowded. Bring water, a hat and comfortable shoes. If the Yamagata Hanagasa parade or Sendai Tanabata is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit Zuihoden, Yamadera's mountain steps or Matsushima Bay in the same area. Dietary needs can be added in the booking form.
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
Watch flower-hat dancers in the Yamagata Hanagasa evening parade
Walk under giant paper streamers in Sendai's Tanabata arcades
Visit Zuihoden, the painted mausoleum of Date Masamune
Hear the star legend behind the Tanabata festival
Two big Tohoku festivals timed for the one overlap day
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- Entry to Zuihoden Mausoleum
Yours — paid on the day
- Hotel accommodation (you book your own hotel in Yamagata and Sendai)
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Optional reserved parade seats
- Optional festival food stalls and souvenirs
Good to know
Before you book
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Pickup
Pickup and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel or accommodation (23 wards).
Group and vehicle
Private for up to 6 guests. Enter adults, children, infants and child seats separately at booking.
Dietary and mobility needs
Halal, vegetarian, allergy, walking or other practical requests go in your booking notes and are planned before the day.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we change the route on the day?
Yes. It is a private tour in our own van, so your driver-guide can skip, extend or add stops where time allows.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for your whole private group of up to 6 people, including the van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for an automatic full refund to the original payment method. Within 24 hours, contact us directly so we can help. If a typhoon or official weather warning stops the trip, we offer a new date or a full refund. For a GetYourGuide booking, the terms shown on that booking apply.
Somewhere else in mind?
Any destination in Japan
If this route is not exactly what you need, tell us the destination, dates and group. We confirm the plan and the exact price before any payment is taken.
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From¥235,000
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