Obon (Buddhism)

Obon (お盆) is a Japanese Buddhist festival to honor and commemorate the spirits of one’s ancestors. During Obon, it is believed that ancestor spirits return to this world to visit their relatives. In traditional celebration, lanterns are hung on houses to guide the spirits, obon dances (bon odori) are performed, and graves are visited with food offerings. Obon will be observed in 2022 from Saturday, August 13 to Monday, August 15.