Join Tea Master Naomi Shirao from Miyazaki, Japan, for a hands-on workshop celebrating the Tanabata Star Festival. Learn how to craft both hot and cold tea using rare, first-harvest shincha—a seasonal green tea picked 88 days after spring begins, believed to bring health and good fortune.

This special event honors the spirit of Tanabata, a Japanese tradition of reflection and intention-setting inspired by the celestial reunion of two stars, Altair and Vega.

Celebrate the season with tea, tradition, and intention.

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ABOUT

Naomi Shirao, the tea master and the representative of the 4th generation of a non-pesticide organic farm in Miyazaky, Kyushu, Japan. Their cultivation philosophy begins with the roots–the soil. They proudly claim the soil in their field is so pure, it's edible. Their precious tea was even served to the heads of the G7 Hiroshima summit in 2023. Their teas are currently available for purchase at HACO under haco selection. 

Tanabata Star Festival 

In Japan, July 7th is celebrated as Tanabata, or the Star Festival. It’s based on a romantic legend about two star-crossed lovers—Orihime, a weaver, and Hikoboshi, a cowherd—who worked for the gods in the sky. They fell deeply in love, but their relationship was forbidden. Heartbroken, they were separated by the Milky Way and could only meet once a year—on this special night—when a bridge of stars forms across the sky.

Astronomically, they’re represented by the stars Vega (Orihime) and Altair (Hikoboshi), which shine brightest on opposite sides of the Milky Way around this time.

Over the centuries, people began celebrating Tanabata by writing wishes on colorful paper and hanging them on bamboo branches. The next day, the decorated branches are often floated down rivers—symbolizing hopes that, like the lovers' annual reunion, dreams and miracles might come true.