Vol.24 How to spend Obon in Japan

I  guess many of you may have heard of Obon. It is one of the Buddhist events and very important family gathering time for Japanese.

It's July or August depends on the area. Nowadays, it's from 13th Aug to 15th in many cities in order to adapt to children's summer vacation or common obon vacation of each company. 

During obon, people believe that the spirits of ancestors come back to their homes and spend three days with the family. 

Do you know anything to do at obon?? Let's see how Japanese spend obon time in traditional way!

1. Going to their family's grave. They clean the grave, put the flowers and call their ancestors' spirits back home. 

*In my childhood memories, I didn't like to go there because it's always very very hot this time and I was a bit scared of graves. I think I didn't understand the meanings very well. 

2. Cleaning up the whole house and placing a variety of food offerings to the ancestors in front of butsudan (Buddhist altar).

*Not every family has butsudan at home. We don't have it but my husband's parents do. They protect and respect it well not only on obon but on a daily basis.  

3. Decorating paper lanterns called chochin (提灯) so that the ancestors don't get lost to come back to the house. They used to put real fire on it but it's more common to use electric lanterns as a modern way.

4. Taking a long vacation. Some people go back to their hometown and relax with the family. And some people go travel around.

5. During obon or August, there are many festivals at parks, gardens, shrines and temples. They wear yukata and play obon dance called Bon odori. 

If you can't make it on the exact obon period to go back to the hometown or visit the grave etc, it's ok to visit on another day around obon period. 

We just visited my husband's family's grave to clean it on 10th! We prepared some lanterns and food offerings to butsudan. (as of in the pictures!)

This year, the government recommend remote going home (online) due to Corona situation.. The way of spending obon time has been changing depends on times and situation.

However, most important thing is to appreciate family and ancestors and pray for continuous health and wealth together on obon!

Hope you can witness some of our traditional ways to spend obon!