Last Friday, our students came together to celebrate one of Japan's most beloved summer traditions – Tanabata (七夕). The event gave everyone the opportunity to write their wishes on tanzaku (短冊), the colorful wish strips traditionally hung on bamboo branches during the festival.

With the JLPT taking place the following Sunday, many students wished for success on their exam after months of dedicated preparation. Others wrote about their dreams of being accepted into their first-choice universities, finding employment in Japan, or achieving other personal goals during their time here.

After writing down their wishes, students enjoyed strolling through the streets of Takadanobaba and stopped by the Kanda River to savor the thrill of wearing their favorite Yukatas. It was a wonderful opportunity to experience a traditional part of Japanese summer while creating new memories with classmates.

Tanabata is a reminder to look toward the future with hope, and it was inspiring to see so many of our students reflecting on the goals they are working so hard to achieve. As summer continues, the days grow longer, the trees greener, and our students move one step closer to making those dreams a reality.