Posted on JAPAN TODAY on Aug. 9, 2013
http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/tanabata-stream

PHOTOS BY NATHAN HILL

Colorful streamers and decorations hang from bamboo poles in arcades outside Sendai Station on Thursday night, as the 2013 Sendai Tanabata Matsuri came to a close. The theme for this year’s festival was “tsunagu” or connect, referring to the bringing together of those affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and their supporters within Japan and around the world. Information on the history and decorations of the festival can be seen here.
http://www.sendaitanabata.com/en/index.html