The Obon Festival is a commemorative national holiday meant to honor the spirits of your loved ones who return to the living world during the festivities, according to Japanese beliefs. Obon is not considered a time for partying but rather a family reunion, with many Japanese coming home to their relatives during this time. However, many traditional rituals take place during Obon, with community dancing, memorial lanterns, and prayers, which makes this holiday a worthwhile experience.
Obon Festival Customs
One of the traditions is to hang candles and lanterns at the gates to welcome the souls of ancestors and pay respects quietly. Another tradition is to offer the lit Toro lanterns to Buddha and float them on the water to honor ancestors. In some regions, people even wear traditional Edo period peasant hats, which impress passersbys with their appearance, and cover their heads with a black scarf.
Bon Odori Dance
During the festival, a special dance, called Bon-odori or Bon Dance, is performed on the city square. The dancers demonstrate the dance on the watchtower, built specifically for the event, while crowds gather around and mimic the movements. You can witness Kabukicho Bon-odori in Tokyo in mid-August at the Cine City Square. The festivities usually span from 4 pm until 8 pm, with dancing at approximately 6 pm.
Obon Yasumi Holiday
During the festival, most people take a day off and gather at the graves of their ancestors or crowd up in their neighborhoods for traditional celebrations in the company of dancers and onlookers. Japanese companies and organizations also close their doors during this time, which is known as Obon yasumi, with many employees spending time with their families and loved ones.
Obon Week Dates in Japanese Cities
The dates may also change depending on whether the particular region celebrates the Obon according to the solar calendar in mid-July (the regions of Tokyo, Yokohama, and Tohoku) or the lunar calendar in mid-August (the majority of Japan).
