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Obon Festival

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Japanese Summer Obon Festivals (Not Including Bon Odori Practices)

In America, Obon festivals are typically summer events, while Bon Odori dancing may take place at Japanese festivals throughout the year.

Japanese Obon Festivals

Obon Orgins

The origins of Obon can be traced back to the 7th century in Japan, making it over 1,300 years old. The festival was introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks who brought with them the Ullambana or Hungry Ghost festival from India. Over time, it merged with existing Japanese customs and developed into the Obon festival as it is known today. Throughout the centuries, Obon has continued to be celebrated and has become an integral part of Japanese culture and tradition.

Bon Odori Dancing

Obon Festivals, traditional Buddhist celebrations, feature the enchanting Bon Odori dancing. While these festivals are primarily held at Buddhist churches, there are also other festive occasions where Bon Odori dancing takes place outside of a Buddhist church.

What is Bon Odori Dancing?

Bon Odori dancing is a traditional style of Japanese folk dance performed during the Obon Festival, a Buddhist event honoring the spirits of ancestors. It involves rhythmic movements, choreographed steps, and circular formations, typically accompanied by live music, taiko drums, and traditional songs. The purpose of Bon Odori dancing is to welcome and entertain the spirits, as well as to express joy and gratitude for the blessings of life. It is a festive and community-oriented activity where people of all ages participate in colorful yukata (summer kimono) attire.

Why Are Japanese Festivals & Obon Festivals Separated?

A Japanese festival is a vibrant celebration that showcases various elements of Japanese culture, including its diverse cuisine, cultural exhibits, captivating music, dynamic performances, and the mesmerizing art of Taiko drumming. These festivals provide a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the richness of Japanese traditions, with a plethora of culinary delights featuring authentic Japanese food, cultural exhibits highlighting art, crafts, and history, live music performances showcasing traditional instruments.

Obon Festivals, on the other hand, are a specific subset of Japanese festivals that hold religious significance within the Buddhist tradition. Obon is a Buddhist observance that honors the spirits of ancestors and is believed to be a time when these spirits return to visit their living relatives. It typically involves rituals, ceremonies, and specific customs performed to show respect and gratitude to the ancestors.

While Obon Festivals are a part of Japanese culture, they have distinct characteristics and practices that differentiate them from other types of festivals. The emphasis on honoring ancestors and the specific rituals associated with Obon sets it apart and warrants its separate categorization within the broader spectrum of Japanese festivals.

Could You Please Explain the Distinction Between an Obon Festival and a Bon Odori Event?

The Obon event in Japan is a traditional Buddhist festival that typically takes place in mid-August (or July in some regions) and is meant to honor and remember deceased ancestors. It involves various customs and rituals, such as visiting graves, lighting lanterns, and setting up household altars. While there may be a Buddhist minister involved in some ceremonies, Obon is primarily a solemn and reflective event focused on paying respects to the departed.

On the other hand, a Bon Odori event is a festive dance celebration associated with the Obon season but is more community-oriented and joyous in nature. It features lively and colorful dance performances where people come together to dance in a circle to traditional music. Bon Odori events are typically held in open spaces or festival grounds, and there is no church setting involved. These events are more about celebrating life and community spirit, with dancing, food, and entertainment being central elements, rather than the religious aspect of Obon.

On this website, the terms "Obon Festival" and "Bon Odori Event" are often used interchangeably, and there might not be a strict difference between them. In general, both refer to the cultural celebrations and dance events that take place during the Obon or festival season. The primary distinction lies in the emphasis of the event, where an "Obon Festival" might encompass a wider range of activities including religious rituals and ceremonies, while a "Bon Odori Event" is more focused on the dance and festive aspects. However, the specific usage of these terms can vary depending on the festival and context.

• 4:30 pm - 11:00 pm  
  
  2025 Senshin Buddhist Temple Obon Odori Festival Event (Bon Odori Dancing, Sento Shogon 1000 Oil Lamps, Taiko Entertainment..) Saturday Only

  Senshin Buddhist Temple will be having their Obon Bon Odori Event on Saturday with dancing from 7:00 pm, Omairi...
  

  

  Senshin Buddhist Temple, Los Angeles
  Los Angeles CA
• 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm  
  
  2025 Historic Annual Moiliili Summer Festival Celebration Event: Largest Bon Dance for the Summer on Oahu (Dance, Food..)Newly Listed

  MŌ’ILI’ILI Summer Festival Event 
  Celebrate summer at Honolulu’s largest Bon Dance during this pop...
  

  

  Washington Middle School
  Honolulu HI
• 7:00 pm  
  
  2025 Annual Cortez Obon Summer Festival Event (Bon Odori Dancing, Taiko) Celebrating 100 years of Cortez Buddhist ChurchNewly Listed

  Cortez Obon Festival - Honoring Heritage Through Dance and Community
  Each su...
  

  

  Cortez Buddhist Temple
  Turlock CA

• 10:00 am - 7:00 pm  
  
  2025 Japan Fair (Celebrates Japanese Art & Culture: Exhibits, Music, Dance..) 20 Performances, 10 Workshops, 20k+ Visitors, 100 Organizations (2 Days)Newly Listed

  Japan Fair is a free, two-day festival in Bellevue, WA across the lake from Seattle, that celebrates Japanese art and culture. Fo...
  

  

  Meydenbauer Center
  Bellevue WA
• 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm  
  
  2025 Nishi Hongwanji Obon Festival (New Update: Sunday Only) Japantown: Bon Odori, Taiko, Bingo, Games, Japanese Food, Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple

  Important Update About Nish Obon Carnival 

  

  Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple - LA Betsuin
  Los Angeles CA
• 12:00 pm  
  
  2025 San Jose Buddhist Obon Bazaar Festival (Live Taiko, Authentic Japanese Food, Entertainment & Bon Odori Dancing) (2 Days) San Jose Buddhist ChurchNewly Listed

  San Jose Obon Annual Summer Festival Event in Japantown. This family event is a cultural event of authentic Jap...
  

  

  San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin / JapanTown (Obon)
  San Jose CA
• 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm  
  
  2025 Annual Oxnard Buddhist Temple Summer Obon Odori Festival Event (Saturday Only) Bon Odori, Dance, Taiko, Martial Arts, Games, Bonsai.

  Annual Oxnard Buddhist Temple Summer Obon Odori Festival Event "Gathering of Joy" in sunny, breezy Oxnard, CA. We offer Japanese ...
  

  

  Oxnard Buddhist Temple
  Oxnard CA
• 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm  
  
  2025 Salt Lake City Obon Festival (Japanese Food, Live Taiko, Hawaiian & Traditional Dancing) (Sat only)Newly Listed

  Salt Lake City Obon is held in July, and is the largest festival of the year. The festival and the Obon memorial...
  

  

  Salt Lake Buddhist Temple
  Salt Lake City UT
• 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm  
  
  2025 Salt Lake City Obon Festival (Japanese Food, Live Taiko, Hawaiian & Traditional Dancing) (Sat only)

  Salt Lake City Obon is held in July, and is the largest festival of the year. The festival and the Obon memorial service are held...
  

  

  Salt Lake Buddhist Temple
  Salt Lake City UT
• 5:00 pm - 9:15 pm  
  
  2025 Annual Sacramento Obon Odori Festival Event (Bon Odori Dancing, Japanese Food..) Sacramento Buddhist Church (Saturday)

  The Obon and Bon Odori Festival at the

  

  Buddhist Church of Sacramento
  Sacramento CA
• 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm  
  
  2025 Ekoji Summer Obon Festival Event (Bon Odori Dancing, Food, Live Taiko, Vendors, Games..) Ekoji Buddhist (Saturday)Newly Listed

  Ekoji Obon Festival - A 40-Year Summer Tradition of Remem...
  

  

  Ekoji Buddhist Temple
  Fairfax Station VA
• 6:30 pm  
  
  2025 Berkeley Buddhist Temple Bon Odori (Bon Odori Dance, Hot Dogs..) Berkeley Buddhist Temple (Saturday)Newly Listed

  Berkeley Buddhist Temple Obon is an annual event to commemorate our ancestors. Traditionally, lanterns are hung in front of house...
  

  

  Berkeley Buddhist Temple
  Berkeley CA
• 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm  
  
  2025 Midwest Bon Odori Festival Event: Celebrate Bon Odori and Honor Ancestors at Midwest Buddhist Temple (Saturday) Newly Listed

  Bon Odori & Obon Service at MBT - A Joyful Tribute to...
  

  

  Midwest Buddhist Temple
  Chicago IL