Tanabata Japanese Festival at Hakone Estate and Gardens

Want to give your wishes a little extra boost? Visit Hakone Estate and Gardens July 7-31 and hang your wishes on the lucky bamboo trees. The wishes, also known as Tanzaku, celebrate Tanabata, a summer Japanese tradition which commemorates the romantic story of two lovers represented by the stars Vega and Altair who are only allowed to meet each other once a year as long as the skies are clear. Hakone Estate and Gardens – one of the oldest Japanese gardens in the Western Hemisphere – provides the Tanzaku cards for $2 each, all of which goes towards maintaining the garden’s beloved koi pond and its colorful residents.

Regular admission to Hakone costs $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and students. Children 4 and under enter for free. Saratoga residents get a $2 discount on daytime admission with a photo ID showing their Saratoga address.