With a far more sombre meaning and background, Obon is one of the most important holidays and festivals of the Japanese year. It is observed from the 13th to the 15th day of the 7th month. Rainy season in Japan: Dates and what to expect, Matsuri: The 10 best Japanese summer festivals to visit, Bullet Train movie: facts, accuracy, and differences from Shinkansen, HyperDia and Alternatives: Japan Rail Planners, Japan travel restrictions and COVID-19 travel ban advisory, Japan to open to visa-free individual tourists from October 11, Autumn in Japan: 2022 Fall Foliage Forecast, Halloween in Japan: Costumes, traditions, and where to go. In their honor, lanterns are hung, Bon Odori (Obon dance) is performed, memorial visits are made, and food is offered at home butsudans and temples. Tokyo hotels often raise their rates during festivals and peak times and might be fully booked, so try to make your booking well in advance. Each one is then individually set on fire. It is based on a centuries-old Japanese Buddhist custom that focuses on honoring the spirits of the deceased. Obon is a yearly festival that is celebrated to remember and cherish one's ancestors. I have arranged a 27 day tour of China, Japan and HK through Peggie Lyoo at Asia Highlights and I would highly recommend Peggie to anyone seeking good advice and a customised tour. Theyll also teach the steps on the day of the event between 12pm and 3pm. This is known as Obon Light. Encountering unexpected baggage fees from Cambodia Angkor Air in Siem Reap.Albee without hesitation agreed to cover this cost. More info here. Buddha instructed him to make offerings to the many Buddhist monks who had just completed their summer retreat on the fifteenth day of the seventh month. Events in Tokyo begin in the weeks before and after those dates. The festival can get crowded due to its popularity. Go beyond the sightseeing. 15 Best Places to Visit in Southeast Asia for Couple, Honeymoon, Anniversary 45 Ultimate Things to Do in Southeast Asia. It is said that people have (spiritual) fire on their shoulders, and ghosts will be afraid to get close. Therefore, when the first day of calling the spirits home comes, people offer cucumber horses, and when the last day of guiding the spirits back to their resting places comes, people offer eggplant cows. It can also be held from July 13 to 15, depending on the calendar used. The most important part of the celebrations is honoring ancestors by leaving a variety of food offerings for them at Buddhist altars. Note: This article was written prior to the new wave of Covid-19 cases. The following is a calendar of major festivals, annual rituals, trade shows, sports events . Many are coming back after an extended hiatus due to Covid-19, so its a chance to continue cherished summer traditions. You probably already know that Buddhism believes in the afterlife. Theyll move through town in the shape of the number eight, an auspicious number in Japanese culture. Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church, 32975 Alvarado-Niles Rd, Union City, CA, 94587. People return to their hometowns from the cities and visit the graves of their ancestors to offer sacrifices, such as flowers and fruits. Theyll have workshops at Nakane Zero on July 9 and 24 at 7:30pm to teach interested participants how to do the dance. Obonfest (Obon) is a summertime Japanese (and Japanese-American) festival commemorating one's ancestors. It is also one of Japan's three major holiday seasons. Saturday July 9th - 12:00pm - 10:00pm Sunday July 10th - 12:00pm - 8:00pm. Food should be prepared to be directly edible. The popular dance competition is only allowing 2,700 visitors to enter each day. It's likely that hotel prices will be higher than normal during Obon and it will be necessary to book all tickets and rooms well in advance. It would be unusual for a Buddhist festival not to have a monk-based legend and Obon doesn't disappoint. Many Japanese people return to their ancestral homes during this festival and because it is not a public holiday, most will take time off work. Featuring performances by Columbus Koto Ensemble, Dublin Taiko, and Wadaiko Gouken. Please feel free to use these recordings at your Obon. For over 500 years, Obon Festival In Japan has been celebrated and traditionally includes a dance, known as Bon-Odori. Participants traditionally wear yukatas, a kind of light cotton kimono. Click For Location We are grateful and recognize the significant role of the Betsuin and Sangha in our lives. During the festivities, a massive bonfire is carved into the side of Mt. The Obon Festival lasts for approximately three dates and its starting date can vary from one region of Japan to the next. Read More Tokyo Festivals and Peak travel Seasons: When To Book EarlyContinue, Living in Japan can be a complicated process that involves dedication and commitment. The idea behind all of these holidays is quite similar. By using our website you accept our Cookies Policy. The origin of Obon can be traced back to the story of Maha Maudgalyayana a disciple of Buddha who used his magical powers to look back upon his deceased mother. Obon is one of Japan's most important festivals and is celebrated over 3 days in mid-August or July depending on the region. 2020 - 2021 TOKYO WEEKENDER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED.POWERED BY ENGAWA CO., LTD. 3 Tokyo Museums Paired With Incredible Cafs, Latest North Korean Missiles Trigger Shelter Alerts in Japan, Board Guntu, Japans First Floating Ryokan, 2022 Tokyo International Film Festival Winner and 7 Other Picks. 1. Below are some of the factoids wed like to share with our readers about this Japanese summer celebration. Obon lasts for four to five days, dates vary from region to region in . If you continue browsing, you agree to the use of cookies. Back to Obon! Obon Festival Guide: Meaning, traditions and 2022 dates. Culture And Lifestyle in Japan: Bowing, Staring, when to Remove Shoes, Sitting on Tatami mats, Showing, Read More Japan Culture Guide: Avoiding The Japan Culture ShockContinue, Samurai Women Warriors Of Japan: Pictures, Costume, Clothing Of Women In Feudal Japan. Obon is a truly traditional Japanese Festival, with the sound of Japanese drums, and the magical dim lights of the floating lanterns. Some of the top foods to try at street food stalls during Obon include Takoyaki (breaded octopus topped with pancake sauce and dried seaweed), maki sushi (traditional sushi rolls where all the ingredients are wrapped together in seaweed), yakisoba (fried noodles), yakitori (chicken skewers), and okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancakes). Obon: Japan's Ghost Festival Jul 21, 2020by Dallas Ernst The Obon festival, also known as the Bon Festival, is one of the largest celebrations held in Japan and takes place during the seventh month of the year, typically from the 13th through the 15th. Obon is a grand traditional festival in Japan. The festival also features food stalls and Bon Odori, a traditional Obon dance. People also perform elaborate dances that are known as Obon Odori. While observing her, he learned that she had fallen into the Realm of Hungry Ghosts and needed help. Obon Festival, Saturday August 13th, 2022 . He discovered she had fallen into the Realm of Hungry Ghosts and was suffering. On the first day a student band from a local primary school will also perform. Obon is not really a party time. To watch the same dances from a guaranteed good seat, you can go to Za Koenji Theater and watch a stage Awa Odori performance the same weekend. For those who love to dance, the Gujo Odori Festival In Gujo, (Gifuprefecture) is a week-long party where dancers perform each night from 8 pm until 5 in the morning. Our Obon Festival might be smaller in scope this year but the essence and energy remains the same. It expresses the people's hope that their ancestors will come back quickly and go away slowly. On the first day of Obon, small flames are lit outside people's homes. At 7:00pm a taiko performance will kick off the event. However, Obon is a festival with a difference. Although Obon is not a public holiday in Japan, most people take a few days off to celebrate. Entire families often spend this day together laughing and telling stories about the deceased. Obon week in mid August is a annual holiday where people remember their deceased ancestors. The 10th annual Nakano Bon Odori festival takes place right outside Nakano Station. In Tokyo, Obon is celebrated around the 15th of July. Annual Obon Festival sjbetsuin 2022-07-04T20:35:16-07:00. This is a large family holiday and many Japanese people will travel to their family homes, clean the graves of ancestors, and leave offerings at Buddhist shrines. He told him to the Buddhist monks on the 15th day of the seventh month. Again, the ritual varies slightly between different regions of Japan. Leave all the booking work to us, including international and internal transportation, visas, hotels, meals, and activities. In Japan, people usually have a vacation, while in China, no holidays are taken for the Ghost Festival. Peggie's English is impeccable and she uses lots of nuances which usually only a native English speaker would know. A series of spectacular, 200m-long, character-shaped bonfires are built on mountainsides which are visible throughout the city. The Chinese Ghost Festival is more influenced by Taoism. People give gifts to show their gratitude to those who have taken care of them, including parents, friends, leaders, and colleagues. The Most Popular Japanese Festivals can be found here . August 14-15 Hoyo / Kuyo During the second and third days of Obon celebrations, families following the tradition will invite a Buddhist priest to their homesor visit a temple or shrineto recite a sutra and perform a memorial service. In Japan, there is a saying that during the festival, ghosts will walk on the streets. How To Buy A Japan Rail Pass: Is It Worth It? This is a large family holiday and many Japanese people will travel to their family homes, clean the graves of ancestors, and leave offerings at Buddhist shrines. For more information on volunteer opportunities, contact the Koban at 1-213-613-1911 or volunteer@littletokyokoban.org. During the festival, a special dance is performed which may differ regionally. At the end of the Obon celebrations, the Japanese will then put floating lanterns onto the seas, lakes, or rivers. At the end of the Obon festival, families help their ancestors spirits return back to the grave by guiding them with their chochin lanterns. Fireworks, festivities, and food is the image that comes to mind for most people. In addition to sweeping tombs, people also place these offerings in front of Buddhist niches in their homes. Some regions light a giant fire called a mukaebi which is meant to welcome the spirits and families may also light a small bonfire at their homes. Obon is therefore celebrated at different times in different regions depending on which calendar is observed. Obon is a day thats observed by Japanese Buddhists to honor the spirits of their ancestors. This festival is often compared to Mexico's Day of the Dead and China's Hungry Ghost Festival. Families have reunions and visit the graves of their relatives and make food offerings at altars and temples. Please check each festival in case some are canceled due to the rise in cases. In other parts of the country, its celebrated around the 15th of August. The last day of Obon is for guiding the spirits back to their resting places or back to the water, which is where spirits are traditionally believed to reside. Some areas in northeastern Honshu follow the lunar calendar's date for this holiday and hold their Obon festivals in July. More details can be found in our privacy policy. They are called hoyo or kuyo in Japanese. It originates from the story of Maha Maudgalyayana (Mokuren). Bon Odori, or the Bon dance, is a style of dancing performed during Obon in the night. This year, the holiday will be celebrated from August 13 to 15. The lanterns are put out on the river to guide the ancestors' spirits on their way back to the land of the deceased. These floating lanterns are meant to guide the spirits back to their world. Greatly saddened, he went to the Buddha and asked how he could relieve his mother's suffering. Obon is an event for making offerings to deceased ancestors. During this day, many regions light another bonfire and hang more lanterns painted with the family crest to guide spirits back to their graves. The traditional doll display features miniature dolls that are replicas of the ancient Heian royal court in, Read More Hinamatsuri: Japanese Doll FestivalContinue. Tokyo has its own dance festival based on the famous Awa Odori Festival. We decided to go a little bit deeper into the history and traditions of this holiday. The horse is fast, and the ox is slow. The Obon festival is one of Japan's largest and most significant religious events. One of the most important holidays in Japan, Obonstarts on August 13 and ends on the 15th this year, although the dates may vary depending on the region. 7/30/2017Little Tokyo Obon festival is at the Higashi Honganji temple at LA's Little Tokyo district.This was a summer event that is open to the public in Lit. a guide to the japanese halloween savvy tokyo complete japan Obon Festival 2022 in Japan: Meaning Traditions and Dates Source: www.jrailpass.com During Toro Nagashi, you can see some of the best lantern releases in the Asakusa neighborhood of Tokyo and in Hiroshima. These foods can include sweets, tea, fruit, and rice. This Buddhist festival has been celebrated for more than 500 years. On the last day, the spirits of the ancestors are brought back to the grave, and family crest chochin painted meant to guide the spirits are hung. Monica Mo was very helpful from the beginning after I enquired about my travel plans to Japan. It's not unusual for Tokyo to host two or more events that attract more than 1 million people on the same weekend. Each year in Japan, people celebrate ohigan, a period of seven days around both the vernal and the autumnal equinoxes, and obon, which stretches over a few days on either side of August 15 . The first day of Obon is for guiding the spirits home. In the middle of a square is a platform on which, usually, someone leads a song and the participants dance around it to the beat of Japanese taiko drums. According to legend, performing the dance of Obon Odori frees ones ancestors from suffering. People also perform elaborate dances that are known as Obon Odori. Whether that includes experiencing a festival and the country's rich culture or taking a foodie's tour where you can experience all the best flavors and innovative dishes of Japan. In order to enliven the celebrations, there were performances of traditional dances and . Obon [ ] is a way to express our gratitude for those who came before us and appreciate what they have contributed to our lives. Where is Obon Festival Celebrated In Tokyo? Your personal travel advisor will always reply within 24 hours. Although this holiday may sound a little somber to Westerners, Obon is actually a happy and joyous festival filled with dancing, street food, and celebrations. Understand the destinations by practicing the local culture and interacting with local people. Explore destinations at your own pace. Public transport may be busier than normal as many people take a vacation during this period and return to their family homes. People use wood to form a large "" character, and then set it on fire. Japan Culture Guide: Avoiding The Japan Culture Shock, Samurai Women Warriors Of Japan: Pictures, Costume, Clothing Of Women, Tokyo Festivals and Peak travel Seasons: When To Book Early, What Expats Wish They Had Known Before Living In Tokyo, 21 Fun & Interesting Things To Do In Matsumoto Japan, Tokyo Sky Tree: Guide To The Worlds Tallest Tower. There are big sacrificial events, dance events, and markets. He was so happy his mother was released, and that he now had a new understanding of his mother, he began to dance with happiness. The busiest days are expected to be August 11-13 with people leaving the big cities and August 14-16 with people returning to the big cities. Along with Tanabata, Obon is a staple of summer festivities and one of the three big Japanese holidays along with New Year celebrations and Golden Week. In China, the main Ghost Festival ceremony is usually held at dusk on one day. At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey your dates, your destinations, at your pace. Japan is well-known for its festivals, especially during the summertime. Buddha advised Mokuren to make offerings to Buddhist monks. They hang lanterns outside their homes to guide their ancestors spirits and they perform dances called Bon Odori. In Japan, Obon is mainly observed from August 13 to 16.. Traditionally, Obon is celebrated from the 13th to the 15th day of the 7th month of the lunar year. Festivals were usually annual events to bless the cultivation of rice and the health of the community. As with many Tokyo Obon celebrations, the event is returning for the first time in three years. He tired using his powers to feed food into his mother's mouth, only to see the food just fed into her mouth turn into charcoal. When Kanae met us, she asked for details of what we wished to see and she constructed an outstanding combination of visits for the day. On this day, people will light paper lanterns and hang them in their homes and on doorways. Second week of dance practices will be held July 5 through July 7 from 7pm to 9pm .
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