– Orihime and Hikoboshi Meet Date Masamune in the Night Sky of Sendai!? –
Red Cliff Inc. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Komei Sasaki; hereinafter “Red Cliff”), together with North Drone Show Inc. (Head Office: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Base: Kamishihoro, Hokkaido; CEO: Toshifumi Suganuma), staged its first-ever drone show at the Sendai Tanabata Fireworks Festival, the eve of the renowned Sendai Tanabata Festival, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
In combination with 16,000 fireworks, 300 drones illuminated the night sky with motifs inspired by Tanabata and Sendai, delighting approximately 450,000 spectators (according to the organizer).
The World’s Most Exquisite Festival of “Paper and Bamboo”
The Sendai Tanabata Festival is one of Japan’s three great Tanabata festivals, held annually from August 6 to 8 in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. Continuing the traditions dating back to the era of Lord Date Masamune, it has grown into one of Tohoku’s premier summer events, attracting more than two million visitors each year. Among the many splendid decorations that adorn the city’s shopping arcades and streets, the iconic kusudama balls with long streamers are widely recognized as the symbol of the festival.
https://www.sendaitanabata.com/
As a prelude, the Sendai Tanabata Fireworks Festival takes place on the eve of the main event, featuring 16,000 fireworks launched into the night sky. It is one of the largest fireworks festivals in Tohoku, enchanting citizens and visitors alike as a quintessential summer tradition of Sendai. Together with the brilliant Tanabata decorations, the fireworks create a breathtaking spectacle that draws massive crowds every year.
https://sendai-tanabatahanabi.com/
Date Masamune, Orihime, and Hikoboshi Welcome the Audience
At this year’s Sendai Tanabata Fireworks Festival, Red Cliff, together with its partner North Drone Show, was responsible for producing the very first opening drone show in the festival’s 56-year history.
On the day of the event, 300 drones took to the night sky to depict Lord Date Masamune, the first feudal lord of the Sendai Domain who laid the foundations of the city, as well as the iconic streamers of the Sendai Tanabata Festival and motifs of Orihime and Hikoboshi. The spectacular performance drew cheers from the approximately 450,000 spectators gathered at the venue.
Red Cliff aims to continue contributing to tourism promotion and regional revitalization by adding new dimensions to local culture through the fusion of traditional fireworks festivals with cutting-edge technology.
