This is my favourite Japanese story/festival, which is actually based on a Chinese tale called 'Kikkoden'. Every July 7th people write their wishes on to small pieces of paper, tie them to trees and wish for a clear starry night. For me its one of the most romantic events in Japan... but thats just my opinion Here is the story:

"Long long ago, on the west bank of the Milky Way, there lived a beautiful girl Orihime. She was a skilled weaver and worked very hard every day. Tentei, the Emperor of the sky, was very happy with her diligence and married her to a very hard working cowboy Kengyu from across the Milky Way.

Kengyu and Orihime fell in love and started to live happily on the east bank. However, they spent all day long having fun together and forgot about their work. Emperor Tentei got very angry and took Orihime back to the west bank. Orihime was so sad that she cried for days and nights. Tentei felt sorry for her and allowed the two lovers to meet, but only once a year, on the 7th of July. Every year on this day, both Orihime and Kengyu pray for clear skies and bright stars so that he can find his way across the milky way to his love... for a cloudy night would mean he could not find his love..."