Tanabata Matsuri and Kawabiraki is a combination festival to celebrate both the children's Star Festival and to commemorate the opening of Ryotsu Port. The town, mainly the central areas of Ebisu and Minato, bustles with spectators and locals. This event originates from the celebratory event to commemorate the listing of Ebisu Port, in 1898, as one of the top seven ports in Japan. The festival events include: a brass band parade, a children's float parade, a folk song and dance procession, and demonstrations of Ondeko (masked deity dance).The festival closes with a gorgeous firework display.
