Obon (お盆) (Also known as Bon) is an annual Buddhist event for commemorating one's ancestors, whose spirits are believed to temporarily return to this world in order to visit their relatives during Obon.
Traditionally, paper lanterns called Chochin are hung in front of houses to guide the ancestors' spirits, And bon dances Bon Odori, are performed. Families have reunions and visit the graves of their relatives and make food offerings at altars and temples.
At the end of Obon, floating lanterns are put into rivers, lakes and seas in order to guide the spirits back into their world. The customs followed vary strongly from region to region.
The official dates are August 13-15 though it will be celebrated between July 13-15 in some places. The Obon week in mid-August is one of Japan’s three major holiday seasons along with the Golden Week and New Year making it one of the busiest times of the year for traveling.
Traditionally, paper lanterns called Chochin are hung in front of houses to guide the ancestors' spirits, And bon dances Bon Odori, are performed. Families have reunions and visit the graves of their relatives and make food offerings at altars and temples.
At the end of Obon, floating lanterns are put into rivers, lakes and seas in order to guide the spirits back into their world. The customs followed vary strongly from region to region.
The official dates are August 13-15 though it will be celebrated between July 13-15 in some places. The Obon week in mid-August is one of Japan’s three major holiday seasons along with the Golden Week and New Year making it one of the busiest times of the year for traveling.
