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Get ready to celebrate the vibrant and cultural Obon Festival on August 13! This annual Japanese holiday is a time for families to come together and honor their ancestors through traditional dances, music, and food. It is believed that during this time, the spirits of ancestors return to visit their living relatives. The festival dates back over 500 years and has evolved into a celebration of unity, gratitude, and remembrance. So put on your yukata (summer kimono), grab some delicious street food, and join in on the lively festivities at the Obon Festival!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>500s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Obon Festival Origin</div><div class='timeline-text'>The tradition of the Obon Festival began in Japan, primarily as a Buddhist event to honor departed spirits of ancestors.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1600s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Introduction of Bon Odori</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Bon Odori, a traditional dance, became a key part of the Obon Festival celebrations in the 17th Century.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Growth and Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>By the 19th Century, the Obon Festival had gained significant recognition and started being observed across all of Japan with local variants.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>20th Century</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Dissemination</div><div class='timeline-text'>With the Japanese diaspora in the 20th Century, the Obon Festival found its place in various parts of the world including Hawaii, Brazil, and parts of mainland U.S.A.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Recognition in U.S.A.</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Obon Festival increasingly gained recognition in America with large annual celebrations in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend an Obon festival</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>The best way to celebrate Obon is to attend a festival! Look for local events in your area and immerse yourself in the traditional Japanese culture, food, and dance.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make a lantern</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>In Japanese culture, lanterns are lit to guide the spirits of ancestors during Obon. Try making your own lantern using traditional materials like paper and bamboo, or get creative with modern materials like mason jars and fairy lights.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Learn traditional dances</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>At Obon festivals, people gather to dance traditional Bon Odori dances. Look up tutorials online or attend a dance workshop to learn these beautiful and meaningful dances.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Prepare traditional Obon food</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Food is an important part of Obon celebrations. Try making traditional dishes like somen noodles, okonomiyaki, and ohagi, or put a modern twist on them to make them your own.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a family memorial altar</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Obon is a time to honor and remember ancestors. Set up a family memorial altar with photos and offerings of food and incense to pay tribute to your loved ones who have passed.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='' class='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a time to honor and remember ancestors</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Obon Festival, also known as the Bon Festival, is a Japanese Buddhist custom dedicated to honoring the spirits of one's ancestors. It's a beautiful way to show gratitude and respect for those who came before us.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>The festivities are full of culture and tradition</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>From traditional dances like bon odori to displaying decorations such as lanterns and altars, Obon Festival is rich in customs and practices that have been passed down for generations. Participating in these rituals can give insight into the history and culture of Japan.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id=''id= 'width why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id= ''class= 'whywelove-title'>It brings communities together</h3><p id= ''class= 'whywelove-text width'>Obon Festival is a great opportunity for families and friends to come together and celebrate. People from all over gather for food, music, dancing, and other festive activities. It's a time to connect with others and strengthen relationships within the community.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Obon is One of Japan's Three Major Holiday Seasons</h3><p class='facts-content'>Besides New Year's and Golden Week in May, Obon in August is one of Japan's three major holiday seasons, with people traditionally returning to their family home.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Key Symbols: The Cucumber and Eggplant</h3><p class='facts-content'>During Obon, cucumber and eggplants are used as offerings and to make horse-and-cow-shaped decorations. It is believed these help the spirits of the ancestors to arrive and return smoothly to the world of the dead.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Obon Festivals Vary Greatly Across Japan</h3><p class='facts-content'>From famous Tokyo's dance festivals to the unique Toro Nagashi (floating lanterns) in Hiroshima, Obon celebrations differ widely based on region, each featuring local customs, foods and dances.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Obon Festival Traditions Provide Valuable Insight into Japanese Beliefs about Afterlife</h3><p class='facts-content'>Traditions such as cleaning of graves, preparation of favourite foods of the deceased, and Bon Odori dance, reflect the Japanese culture's strong ties with their ancestors and belief in life after death.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Obon is Known as Festival of Lanterns</h3><p class='facts-content'>A key part of the Obon Festival are the hanging lanterns or torches placed outside houses to guide the spirits, and floating lanterns placed on water to send back the spirits, symbolizing the illumination of the world of darkness and ignorance.</p></div></div>
Obon Festival is celebrated on August 13 every year. In 2024 Obon Festival will occur on a Tuesday.
2023
Aug 13
Sunday
2024
Aug 13
Tuesday
2025
Aug 13
Wednesday
2026
Aug 13
Thursday
2027
Aug 13
Friday
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