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This traditional festival occurred only in 3 days of mid-August, but the festival made its preparation way further than it is. Obon festival is one of the biggest summer festivals in Japan, has its root in the Buddhist tradition. Families, friends, locals, and travelers are all taking part in the festival.
The timing of festival
Obon (お盆) or just Bon (盆) has a starting date different in different parts of Japan, due to the counting date of the solar and lunar calendar. So if you are in Tokyo, Bon Festival 2020 will begin on Thursday, August 13 to Saturday, August 15. However, if you are living in Okinawa, prepare to take part in the event on a later date or simply, enjoy both.
What is Obon and why it is the Japanese traditional festival?
Bon Odori (盆踊り), or Bon dance is practice and participate by everyone, from young to old, boys and girls. It has a history of 600 years, as a folk entertainment to welcome the spirits of the dead or just to celebrate.
Participants in Bon festival usually wear yukata hand in hand with their loved ones or travel in groups with a friend to enjoy the dance party and firework. Yatai, or street vendors, are one of the cannot-missing things in Japanese traditional festival, or maybe, any other festival. They are side by side, selling various items, like yakisoba, skew beef, beer, sweet, etc
After the dance and at the end of the festival, people put latent into rivers, lakes, and seas, to guide spirits back to their world.
You can enjoy the aftermath, floating latent in Chidorigafuchi greenway path its road alongside the outer of Imperial Palace.
Other places that you can enjoy the matsuri
- Hibiya Park Marunouchi Ondo Bon Odori
- Tsukiji Hongwanji Bon Odori
- Roppongi Hills Bon Odori
- Minato Mirai Bon Odori
If you are looking for somewhere different than Tokyo, try
- Daimonji Gozan Okuribi Fire Festival in Kyoto
- Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima, Shikoku
- Gujo Odori Festival in Gifu
Going out with local is an ideal
At Homii Homestay, our hosts are cheerful people who enjoy the festival, dance. They took part in the 2019 Obon festival with our guests. Many others will come this year with us to the event, what about you?
Homii Homestay – peaceful place where you’ll find your home.