Each toro nagashi contains a candle and is often placed in a waterway that will eventually lead to the ocean. Classic Obon Festival Songs. Theres plenty to keep you occupied in Tokyo this week, including a Harajuku flea market, drag show, art exhibitions and more. Thailand The Obon festival seems to have its origins in Buddhism and is said to have been brought to Japan by the Buddists. The styles of folk dance may differ from region to region, but most are accompanied by traditional Japanese taiko drums and are free to watch. After rituals and ceremonies performed at home, people often visit the graves of their ancestors. Lot's of music, danci. Food will be available for purchase beginning at 3:00pm until 7:00pm. Don't take photos at night cameras will capture bad spirits. But the Chinese Ghost Festival is calculated according to the lunar calendar, on the 15th of the 7th lunar month (falling from early August to early September). Mokuren danced with joy which is the origin of the Obon dance. These events originated from the use of fireworks as a way of appeasing one's ancestors during the " Obon " period. Some areas in northeastern Honshu follow the lunar calendar's date for this holiday and hold their Obon festivals in July. Harajuku Freedom Market After its first successful flea market event,, In this weeks news roundup, we report on the latest North Korean missiles and the tragic crush in South Korea. These floating lanterns are meant to guide the spirits back to their world. During the year, we do a series of workshops around Southern California to expose communities to different cultural spaces, share practices, and explore traditional expressions about the . They have many similarities. In the United States, the Obon festival event (, also known as Bon festival) is a Japanese Buddhist festival celebrated during the summer months which people commemorates and remembers the spirits of their deceased ancestors back home. Yi Peng Festival in Thailand will be observed on November 8th-9th, 2022. By using our website you accept our Cookies Policy. Theres new art, new restaurants, There was much ado about Shinzo Abes state funeral last month and the expenditure of public finances to honor a leader who wasnt always viewed in the most commendatory of lights. The event features performances by many Eisa (Okinawan folk dance) groups based in Tokyo. The Bon Odon is one of Tokyos signature summer events. Read More Tokyo Festivals and Peak travel Seasons: When To Book EarlyContinue, Living in Japan can be a complicated process that involves dedication and commitment. If you are planning to visit Japan in July, then you can see the Obon celebrations in some areas of Tokyo and also in Okinawa. At 7:00pm a taiko performance will kick off the event. Each year in Japan, people celebrate ohigan, a period of seven days around both the vernal and the autumnal equinoxes, and obon, which stretches over a few days on either side of August 15 . There are a number of special Obon festivals which tourists can visit using their JR Pass. Thank you to Sumie Kaneko, David Wells, Yuta Kato, and Fred Visaya Jr. for sharing their musical talent. Obon is not really a party time. Answer 1 of 3: Hi all, My partner and I will be arriving in Tokyo on the 12th and leaving on 16th from Tokyo to kinosaki. The origin of Obon can be traced back to the story of Maha Maudgalyayana a disciple of Buddha who used his magical powers to look back upon his deceased mother. The Obon Festival originates from the Buddhist story of Maha Maudgalyayana (Mokuren), a disciple of the Buddha. There are big sacrificial events, dance events, and markets. More details can be found in our privacy policy. Many Japanese people return to their ancestral homes during this festival and because it is not a public holiday, most will take time off work. Theyll move through town in the shape of the number eight, an auspicious number in Japanese culture. Have as much flexibility as possible. He tired using his powers to feed food into his mother's mouth, only to see the food just fed into her mouth turn into charcoal. This is a large family holiday and many Japanese people will travel to their family homes, clean the graves of ancestors, and leave offerings at Buddhist shrines. People also feast on this night, and they might leave a place open at the table for a lost ancestor. a guide to the japanese halloween savvy tokyo complete japan Obon Festival 2022 in Japan: Meaning Traditions and Dates Source: www.jrailpass.com The Most Popular Japanese Festivals can be found here . People use wood to form a large "" character, and then set it on fire. It's also common to create an altar for ancestors where offerings and small memorial tablets are placed. However, Obon is a festival with a difference. In China, the main Ghost Festival ceremony is usually held at dusk on one day. Obon is our annual summer Japanese cultural festival. UPDATED April 6, 2022 - It has been a tremendous honor to record two additional songs for the Obon Classics collection - Aizu Bandaisan and Tokyo Ondo. Enjoy having your own personal local guide and ride. On the first day a student band from a local primary school will also perform. Each one is then individually set on fire. Events in Tokyo begin in the weeks before and after those dates. At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey your dates, your destinations, at your pace. Some regions of the country celebrate a festival called Toro Nagashi on this day which involves releasing hundreds of floating lanterns onto rivers and lakes. With a far more sombre meaning and background, Obon is one of the most important holidays and festivals of the Japanese year. The festival began in 1957 to revitalize the local shops, but has grown to include over 10,000 dancers and one million spectators. One of the traditions is to hang candles and lanterns at the gates to receive the souls of ancestors and pay respects quietly. It can also be held from July 13 to 15, depending on the calendar used. In Japan, there is a saying that during the festival, ghosts will walk on the streets. Participants are also restricted to those living in Tsukiji and near the venue. The holiday consists of a three-day festival that honours ancestral spirits and pays respect to the dead. It is celebrated every August. Obon grew out of Buddhist customs while also incorporating elements from Shinto, a folk religion native to Japan. He decided to visit Buddha and ask what could be done to get his mother released from this realm. Obon is a grand traditional festival in Japan. Dancers perform on a yagura stage and participants wear light cotton kimonos. I have arranged a 27 day tour of China, Japan and HK through Peggie Lyoo at Asia Highlights and I would highly recommend Peggie to anyone seeking good advice and a customised tour. Encountering unexpected baggage fees from Cambodia Angkor Air in Siem Reap.Albee without hesitation agreed to cover this cost. Traditionally, Obon is celebrated from the 13th to the 15th day of the 7th month of the lunar year. All text and image content copyrighted by HolidaysCalendar.com. Japan's Obon is similar to China's Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan Festival). She listened with understanding and took careful notes and clarified things to make sure she got everything. The ritual is called okuri-bon. Japan Culture And Traditions: Avoiding the common Culture Shock. Greatly saddened, he went to the Buddha and asked how he could relieve his mother's suffering. Daimonji right outside Kyoto. JRailPass.com Japan Travel Blog Travel Guides Anyone can join in the dances which are held in parks, temples, and other public places around Japan. Native flora is nurtured in. The word 'Matsuri' or 'Festival' literally means worshipping gods or ancestral spirits. Many are coming back after an extended hiatus due to Covid-19, so its a chance to continue cherished summer traditions. Traditionally, Obon is celebrated from the 13th to the 15th day of the 7th month of the lunar year. In Japan, its one of the biggest holidays and is observed from the 13th to the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. JASCO 2022 Obon Festival Sunday, August 14, 2022 4-7 PM Riverside Crossing Park Dublin, OH Ticket Festival Schedule Raffle Food Bon Odori Location & Parking Festival Sponsors Come celebration the festival of Obon with JASCO! More info here. The Chinese Ghost Festival is more influenced by Taoism. Obon is one of the biggest summer festivals in Japan and is a great time for street food so its a great time to visit for adventurous eaters especially because the country has surprisingly little street food available in cities during normal times. Food should be prepared to be directly edible. At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey your dates, your destinations, at your pace. Floating of the lanterns down the river takes place on the. It originates from the story of Maha Maudgalyayana (Mokuren). Copyright 2022. Your tour will be tailor-made to suit you by a destination expert. Obonfest (Obon) is a summertime Japanese (and Japanese-American) festival commemorating one's ancestors. In addition to watching locals perform, visitors can enjoy food at the Oedo Fair and specialty market corners of the park. Some of the top foods to try at street food stalls during Obon include Takoyaki (breaded octopus topped with pancake sauce and dried seaweed), maki sushi (traditional sushi rolls where all the ingredients are wrapped together in seaweed), yakisoba (fried noodles), yakitori (chicken skewers), and okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancakes). In Tokyo, Obon is celebrated around the 15th of July. Great job!! Obon is the second biggest traditional holiday in Japan after Japanese New Year. A visit to Kyoto during the Obon . At the end of the Obon festival, families help their ancestors spirits return back to the grave by guiding them with their chochin lanterns. I have found her very prompt in responding to emails and her knowledge is terrific. Awa Odori is one of the most well-known dances during Obon season and originates from Tokushima. Families may also carry a lantern with them to the graves of family members in order to help guide them home. During this time, Japanese people pay respect to their ancestors and loved ones who have passed away through many beautiful ceremonies. Chochin (paper) lanterns are hung to guide the spirits and Obon dances (bon odori) are performed. During the festival, a special dance is performed which may differ regionally. It is also the birthplace of one of the most famous Japanese traditional songs. Japan's Obon has fixed dates to celebrate Obon, usually from August 13 to 16 (following a switch from using the lunar calendar). Today, the dates of the festival have been converted to a standard solar calendar date and while most regions of Japan celebrate from the 13th-15th of August, there are some regions that celebrate in July depending on their interpretation of the original lunar calendar. Festivals were usually annual events to bless the cultivation of rice and the health of the community. Chochin (paper) lanterns are hung to guide the spirits and Obon dances (bon odori) are performed. One of the most popular Bon Odori festivals, the Koenji Awa Odori takes place around Koenji station in late August. Events in Tokyo begin in the weeks before and after those dates. The Obon festival (, also known as Bon festival) is an annual Japanese holiday which commemorates and remembers deceased ancestors. It's also common to see red and white lanterns decorating the streets of most towns and cities. Sanrio Puroland Guide: The Hello Kitty Theme Park In Tokyo, Discover The Secrets Behind Tokyos Love Hotels Scene, How To Watch Sumo Wrestling In Tokyo Japan, Ancient Japanese Art: History, Artists, Artwork and Paintings, 13 Glorious Japanese Desserts That Will Make You Want to Visit Japan. The Obon Festival lasts for approximately three dates and its starting date can vary from one region of Japan to the next. There is a big ceremony of sending off fires in the mountains of Kyoto. Obon is a yearly festival that is celebrated to remember and cherish one's ancestors. As with many Tokyo Obon celebrations, the event is returning for the first time in three years. Obon, sometimes just called Bon, is a Buddhist festival that celebrates the time when the spirits are able to return to Earth and be with their families. Obon, also sometimes known as " Bon ," is a traditional Buddhist holiday celebrated in Japan as well as in much of East Asia. It would be unusual for a Buddhist festival not to have a monk-based legend and Obon doesn't disappoint. On the first day of Obon, people take the chochin lanterns to the graves of their families. Dressed in green polo shirts, the men and women volunteers of the LTPSA became a common sight throughout Little Tokyo since 1993 and are still visible during Nisei Week, church obon festivals and the annual Tanabata Festival. On the last day, the spirits of the ancestors are brought back to the grave, and family crest chochin painted meant to guide the spirits are hung. August 14-15 Hoyo / Kuyo During the second and third days of Obon celebrations, families following the tradition will invite a Buddhist priest to their homesor visit a temple or shrineto recite a sutra and perform a memorial service. Don't hang your clothes out at night strange ghosts may take your clothes to wear. It was at this time that he was also able to view her selflessness and learned all that she had sacrificed for him. The Obon festival is one of Japan's largest and most significant religious events. There is also a traditional activity called Bon Odori dancing that is performed in parks, gardens, or shrines across the country. We are grateful and recognize the significant role of the Betsuin and Sangha in our lives. People give gifts to show their gratitude to those who have taken care of them, including parents, friends, leaders, and colleagues. Chochin (paper) lanterns are hung to guide the spirits and Obon dances (bon odori) are performed. For over 500 years, Obon Festival In Japan has been celebrated and traditionally includes a dance, known as Bon-Odori. It originally began as a Buddhist custom but has quickly evolved into a holiday in which families hold reunions and take the opportunity to visit their ancestral homes. It is also a time when tickets for flights and trains are more expensive. The name of this festival loosely translates to Festival Of The Dead.. There is no specific location where this holiday is celebrated. Increased travel activity Questions? Although this holiday may sound a little somber to Westerners, Obon is actually a happy and joyous festival filled with dancing, street food, and celebrations. The Daimonji Festival in Kyoto is probably the most famous. She can handle large scale events. During this time, it is believed that all spirits return back to Earth and most families will leave offerings for their ancestor's spirits or hang lanterns to lead them home. Featuring performances by Columbus Koto Ensemble, Dublin Taiko, and Wadaiko Gouken. June 15, 2022 Travel Guides The Obon festival (, also known as Bon festival) is an annual Japanese holiday which commemorates and remembers deceased ancestors. Known as the Festival of Souls, Bon Festival, or the Festival of Ancestors, is in spite of the somewhat depressing theme, one of the happiest Japanese celebrations, with dancing and drinking all night long. 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