Tanabata Festival at the Japanese Garden in Szombathely

Takashi had the great pleasure of returning to Szombathely in Hungary once again to see the soon-to-be completed Japanese garden that he has been supervising since 2024. Takashi also had the privilege of meeting His Excellency Mr KIMURA Tetsuya, Ambassador of Japan to Hungary, at the Tanabata Festival. He felt deeply honoured to receive the Ambassador’s kind words of appreciation for his contribution to the creation of the Japanese garden as part of the cultural exchange between Hungary and Japan.

During the festival, a tea ceremony was also performed by members of the Urasenke in the tea house within the garden. As Japanese gardens with both a tea house and a tea garden (roji) are still rare in Hungary, Takashi’s hope is that they will continue to be used regularly for tea ceremonies and other cultural activities.

Tanabata is a traditional Japanese summer festival based on an ancient Chinese legend about the stars and two lovers. It is celebrated on 7 July, when people write their wishes on colourful strips of paper and hang them on bamboo branches, hoping their wishes will come true.

Takashi’s own wish is that this project will continue to strengthen the friendship between the people of Hungary and Japan for many years to come.