Obon is one of the most important annual festivals in Japan and takes place in the summer. It is based on the Buddhist belief that the spirits of ancestors return to their family home at this time of year.

Why is the Obon festival in August?

Obon is one of the most important annual festivals in Japan and takes place in the summer. It is based on the Buddhist belief that the spirits of ancestors return to their family home at this time of year.

What does the Obon festival celebrate in Japan?

What is Obon? Obon also known as Bon Festival is an event that takes place over the course of several days commemorating and honoring ancestors. Obon centers around a belief that the spirits and souls of loved ones and dead ancestors come back to visit.

What are 5 traditions of the Obon festival?

Obon rituals usually begin on the 13th of July or August, depending on the location. The main rituals include Obon Iri (setting up of lanterns), Mukaebi (a “welcoming fire” to guide ancestors home), Obon Ake or Okuribon (the ceremony or service for the deceased), and Okuribi (a “sending off” fire).

Where in Japan is the Obon festival celebrated?

Kyoto. Kyoto can be a great starting point for any visit to Japan as well as a destination for experiencing Obon. During Obon, Kyoto celebrates with the Kyoto Gozan Okuribi, also known as the Daimonji Festival. During this festival, huge bonfires are lit on the mountains surrounding Kyoto.

Why is Obon important to Japan?

The Obon celebration is one of the most important customs for the Japanese. Also known as Bon, this season is used to celebrate the spirits of a person’s ancestors. A custom introduced by the Buddhists to the Japanese, it is a holiday that brings the family together and reunites them with the dead.

Is Obon a national holiday in Japan?

The dates of national holidays, New Year, and Obon for 2022 are as follows. Dates in bold aren’t official public holidays, but will likely see lots of closures….Japanese National Holidays 2022.

Date Festival
August 20–22 Obon Festival (Mainly Okinawa, also northern Kanto, Shikoku, and Chugoku)

What do you do on Obon?

Obon is a three day ceremony that calls deceased family members home. In preparation for festivities, families clean homes, visit ancestral graves, buy or craft lanterns, and arrange flowers for the deceased.

Why is Obon important?

What does Obon mean in Japanese?

honor the spirits of one’s ancestors
Obon (お盆) or just Bon (盆) is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of one’s ancestors.

Is Obon a Shinto?

Obon festivals range in style from the solemn to the spry, from quiet visits to family graves to lively dancing and parades of floats, fireworks, or paper boats drifting down a river. The origins of the festivals lie in Shinto, a native Japanese “way of life” that celebrates nature.

Is Obon Buddhist or Shinto?

Obon (お盆) or just Bon (盆) is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of one’s ancestors.

What do they eat during Obon?

Obon Festival Foods Street foods like okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), takoyaki (octopus balls), and yakitori (chicken skewers) are all popular. Treats like uji-kintoki (sweetened shaved ice) and dango (sweet dumplings) are other festival favorites.