Fussa Tanabata Festival 2013

Tanabata, a festival that celebrates the star-crossed lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi, takes place across Japan in early July and – confusingly – again in early August. You'll find one of Tokyo's longest running incarnations in Fussa, a town to the west of Tokyo central. While other such festivals tend to be fairly low-key affairs, this one (now into its 63rd year) is packed with events, including a 'Princess Orihime contest', folk dancing, a ninja performance, samba parades and plenty of irresistible food.