Traditionally, lanterns are hung in front of houses to guide the ancestors' spirits, obon dances (bon odori) are performed, graves are visited and food offerings are made at house altars and temples . It is believed that each year during obon, the ancestors' spirits return to this world in order to visit their relatives. Mokuren danced with joy which is the origin of the Obon dance. 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. Again, the ritual varies slightly between different regions of Japan. The coronavirus outbreak is having a large impact on travel to and within Japan. They call their ancestors’ spirits back home in a ritual called mukae-bon. Obon is observed around the 15th day of the 7th month of the year, which is July according to the solar calendar; however, it roughly corresponds to August according to the formerly used lunar calendar. It is also the birthplace of one of the most famous Japanese traditional songs. Obon is therefore celebrated at different times in different regions depending on which calendar is observed. Over 1.3 million tourists go there each year. JRailPass.com » Japan Travel Blog » Travel Guides » In 2021, the peak of the Obon travel season is anticipated to take place between August 7 and August 16. According to legend, Maha Maudgalyayana (Mokuren), a disciple of the Buddha , used his supernatural powers to look upon his deceased mother, only to discover she had fallen into the Realm of Hungry Ghosts and was suffering. Japan Rail Pass, S.L.. All rights reserved. He was a disciple of Buddha who used his powers to see the spirit of his deceased mother. It is believed that each year during obon, the ancestors' spirits return to this world in order to visit their relatives. A series of spectacular, 200m-long, character-shaped bonfires are built on mountainsides which are visible throughout the city. The Obon week in mid August is one of Japan's three major holiday seasons (alongside New Year and Golden Week), accompanied by intensive domestic and international travel activities and increased accommodation rates. The beautiful lanterns float down a river that runs to the sea to symbolically send their ancestors’ spirits into the sky. How to visit Shikoku island with the JR Pass, Japanese capsule hotels: the best in Tokyo and Osaka, Autumn in Japan: 2020 Fall Foliage Forecast, Shibuya Crossing, the world’s busiest crossing, Earthquakes in Japan: What to know before you go, Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Japan: Travel advisory. Guide to the Obon Festival 2020 in Japan. The Obon Festival originates from the Buddhist traditions that reached Japanese shores in earlier times. With Up to 61% Off Coffee Makers, It's Prime Time to Buy Your Dream Machine. The most famous Obon festivals in Japan are Awa Odori (Tokushima, Shikoku), Daimonji Gozan Okuribi Fire Festival (Kyoto), Nagasaki Shoro Nagashi Festival (Nagasaki), and Hokkai Bon Odori (Mikasa, Hokkaido). The food served at Obon festivals in Japan are traditional, unlike the Americanized foods that served at festivals in the U.S. It originates from the story of Maha Maudgalyayana (Mokuren). It is believed that during the festival, the spirits of … There are a number of special Obon festivals which tourists can visit using their JR Pass. MAIN FEATURES as bento box (entree, rice, fruit, salad), or on its own. The Buddhist festival has been celebrated for more than 500 years. Sign in and subscribe for the latest Japan travel news and updates. As a result, Obon is mainly observed from August 13 to 16, although in some areas it is also observed in mid July.

Anyone can join in the dances which are held in parks, temples, and other public places around Japan.
The ritual is called okuri-bon. Come celebrate Ekoji's diversity and inclusion and check out our International Desserts Hall, featuring sweets from other cultures and fusion desserts where multiple cultures blend together! On the first day of Obon, people take the chochin lanterns to the graves of their families.

The busiest days are expected to be August 12 and 13 with people leaving the big cities and August 15 and 16 with people returning to the big cities. At the end of Obon, floating lanterns are put into rivers, lakes and seas in order to guide the spirits back into their world. Dancers perform on a yagura stage and participants wear light cotton kimonos.

slow cooked shredded pork | cabbage | Hawaiian sea salt | smoke, teriyaki hot dog  |  rice  |  fruit  |  juice or water, ​SPAM  |  sweet savory marinade  |  rice  |  roasted seaweed, refreshing noodles  |  light savory broth  |  variety of toppings, ​rice  |  umami sauce  |  charcoal grilled.
The Daimonji Festival in Kyoto is probably the most famous. Obon (お盆) is an annual Buddhist event for commemorating one's ancestors. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know: Copyright © 1996-2020 japan-guide.com All Rights Reserved. Obon (お盆) is an annual Buddhist event for commemorating one's ancestors. Click here to know more. Many Japanese people will leave their cities around August 10 and come back on August 17-18.

The official 2020 dates are August 13-15 though it will be celebrated between July 13-15 in some places. The Obon festival (also known as Bon festival) is an annual Japanese holiday which commemorates and remembers deceased ancestors. Families have reunions and visit the graves of their relatives and make food offerings at altars and temples. The Obon week in mid-August is one of Japan’s three major holiday seasons making it one of the busiest times of the year for traveling. Join the discussion today. It is believed that their spirits return at this time to visit their relatives. Obon is held from 13-15 of either July or August, depending on the region. However, according to the solar calendar the 7th month is July but according to the lunar calendar, the 7th month is August. For those who love to dance, the Gujo Odori Festival In Gujo, (Gifu prefecture) is a week-long party where dancers perform each night from 8 pm until 5 in the morning. OBON FESTIVAL AT EKOJI BUDDHIST TEMPLE - CANCELLED IN 2020, soy sauce  |  citrus  |  brown sugar  |  hot rice, soy sauce  |  citrus  |  ginger |  brown sugar  |  hot rice. It’s this time of year when Japan suddenly becomes peacefully quiet, trains get empty, and cemeteries begin to bloom with flowers.

In some regions, huge fires are lit at the entrances of houses to guide the spirits to enter. Chochin (paper) lanterns are hung to guide the spirits and Obon dances (bon odori) are performed. At the other end of the spectrum, if you’re looking for a small festival which has preserved ancient traditions, there is the Hokkai Bon Odori.