2019 San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon Festival (2 Days, Diff Time) Japanese Cultural Exhibits, Food, Games, Performances..Newly Listed

San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple (SFVHBT) Obon Festival is one of the largest and longest running festivals of its kind in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, Conejo, and Antelope Valleys.

Every year it draws thousands of visitors from all across Southern California to its booths to enjoy savory ethnic delights such as Chicken Teriyaki, Chinese Chicken Salad, Chirashi, Sushi, Spam Musubi, Cha Shu Bao, Shu Mai, Beef Teriyaki, Udon, and Somen. It features family-friendly games such as Fishing Derby, Dough Ball, Goldfish Game, and Coin Toss, as well as displays of Bonsai, Calligraphy, and Japanese Dolls. Try your luck at our $1,000 Raffle or the lively Bingo Game in air-conditioned Sakaguchi Hall, which also hosts the temple bookstore and Japanese Flea Market. From beautiful kimono and yukata to traditional toys, dishes, and knick-knacks visit the flea market early as available items move fast. Visit the gym and dojo to watch our talented SFV Japanese American Community Center Clubs perform, and then head to the yagura for taiko and Obon dancing.

It begins with taiko drummers drawing people to the festivities with their loud, enthusiastic, and boisterous performance. This is followed by hundreds of kimono, yukata, and happi coat clad dancers moving to the rhythms and melodies of both traditional and modern Japanese music, all to celebrate the Buddhist "Festival of Joy," started centuries ago as a religious custom to remember and express gratitude to deceased loved ones.

For many people of Japanese ancestry who can trace their roots back to the San Fernando Valley, the summer would not be the summer without the SFVHBT Obon Festival. It is a tradition. It is friends and families gathering to enjoy each other's company. It is neighbors getting to know each other. It is strangers getting acquainted and becoming friends. It is numerous community organizations and their leaders coming together and working cooperatively to ensure a meaningful experience for all. It is a community.

So mark your calendars, dust off your kachi-kachi, tenugui, and your uchiwa; rustle up your yukata and get ready to eat, dance, and play the night away. While you're at it, invite your friends, neighbors, and co-workers too! Everyone will appreciate the opportunity to share in the cultural experience and perpetuate the long-standing tradition that is Obon. We look forward to seeing everyone there.

Come one, come all!

Obon Festival Dates
June 29 - 30, 2019 (Sat & Sun)

Obon Festival Hours
Sat: 4:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Sun: 4:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Bon Odori Dancing
Saturday: 7:00 pm: Bon Odori dancing
Sunday: 6:30 pm: Bon Odori dancing

Taiko Drum Performances will precede Bon Odori each evening.

Parking
There is a large parking lot across the street. (Free)

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Two Locations for Obon Festival & Odori Practices

1) Obon Festival: San Fernando Valley JA Community Center, 12953 Branford Street, Pacoima, CA 91331

2) Bon Odori Dance Practices: San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 9450 Remick Avenue, Pacoima, CA 91331

Dates: June 
Time: starting at 6:30 pm in Temple parking lot.
NOTE: Dance practice is held at the Temple see below, the Festival is held at the Community Center.

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San Fernando Obon Festival Dates
All San Fernando & Practices Dates 

Obon Festivals & Practices
All Obon Festivals  All Obon Practices

See Japanese Event Festivals 
All Japanese Festivals Events

Celebrate the Japanese Culture food, performances and dancing.
(Please always confirm date & times, the schedule could change)

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