In Japan July 7 is known as tanabata (七夕), literally means seven evening.

It is the Star Festival.

People wish something to the stars, and many people write their wishes on strips of fancy paper which is called tanzaku (短冊) and they put them on displays made of the branches of bamboo trees.

http://kimikokitani.blogspot.jp/2010/07/shichigatsu-nanoka-july-7.html?m=0