Decided to go to Sendai on a whim to hopefully see the Tanabata Festival. Unfortunately, it was massively scaled down due to the pandemic. Other than tanzaku on the bamboos and the famous chandelier-like decorations (not sure what you call them in Japanese) that align the walking street, there was no other signs that Tanabata was going on. There were no parades with floats marching down streets or bustling celebrations at shrines. The fireworks display, which kickstarts the three-day long festival, was held at an undisclosed location as not to encourage crowds to form. It apparently happened while I was eating in a restaurant and I never once heard a firework go off. Still tried to make the most of the trip. Hopefully next year it will be back in full spirit.
