Miyako Hotel Yokkaichi (1-3-38 Anjima, Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture) has begun displaying a Tanabata-themed art installation titled "Soraboshi" (宙星, meaning roughly "cosmic star") in its first-floor lobby starting July 1, 2026. The piece is by Aika Hayano, a landscape designer based in Mie Prefecture, and depicts the countless stars of the universe along with the beautiful Earth among them. The artist has said she hopes the piece conveys that "the Earth is both large and small, and everything is connected," and that everyone's individual wishes might come together into a greater hope for world peace.
Until July 7 (Tuesday), visitors to the hotel can write a wish on a tanzaku strip and add it to the display, turning the installation into a participatory piece as everyone's wishes fill out the night sky. The exhibit itself continues through August 31, so it can still be viewed as a completed artwork carrying those wishes even after Tanabata has passed.
A Participatory Tanabata Art Exhibit
The installation, created by Mie-based landscape designer Aika Hayano, is on display in the hotel lobby. Guests who visit are invited to write their wishes on tanzaku strips and hang them alongside the piece, so that everyone's wishes gradually color the night sky and complete the work together.
Exhibit Details
- Exhibit name: Tanabata art "Soraboshi," created by Aika Hayano
- Exhibit period: July 1 (Wednesday) to August 31 (Monday), 2026
- Tanzaku participation period: July 1 (Wednesday) to July 7 (Tuesday), 2026
- Venue: Miyako Hotel Yokkaichi, 1st floor lobby
- Who can participate: Guests visiting the hotel
After the exhibit ends, the strips will be dedicated at Miyamado Shrine and ritually burned.
About the Artwork
"Soraboshi" depicts the countless stars of the universe and, among them, the beautiful Earth. Through the piece, the artist wanted to express the idea that the Earth is both large and small, and that everything is connected — and that everyone's individual wishes, brought together, can grow into a greater hope for world peace.
About the Artist
Aika Segawa (née Hayano) is the representative director and a landscape designer at Mie Landscaping Co., Ltd. She is a certified arborist, holds Grade 1 qualifications in both landscape construction management and civil engineering construction management, and is an assistant instructor of Urasenke tea ceremony.
She works as a landscape designer and arborist diagnosing and treating trees and restoring cultural-property gardens across the region, with an eye toward preserving greenery for future generations. Since 2023, she has guided tree-planting activities at sites including Hokusei Central Park and Kameyama Park as part of Mie Prefecture's "Sakura Project," led by the Okada Cultural Foundation. Through the project, she works to share the enjoyment and importance of plants with local children and residents, contributing to the area's landscape and greening efforts.
Inquiries
Marketing Department, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
TEL: 0120-385-179
*The exhibit period is subject to change. All photos are for illustrative purposes.
Miyako Hotel Yokkaichi
Official Website: https://www.miyakohotels.ne.jp/yokkaichi/
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