Understanding Obon Traditions: Lanterns, Dances & Spirits

If there’s two things that Japan is known for, it’s an ongoing sense of spiritualism and finding as many reasons as possible to throw a festival. In Obon, they discovered both!

Learn about the lanterns, dances, and the festival that celebrates the spirits of those who came before us — complete with so many chances to enjoy Japanese street food, of course.

Obon is the Japanese custom of honoring ancestral spirits, often called the Festival of the Dead or the Lantern Festival (more on lanterns, coming up). Although it began as a Buddhist custom, with its origins dating back over 500 years, it is now celebrated by many across Japan, regardless of religious affiliations.

During this time, family members will usually return to their ancestral home and clean the graves of any deceased ancestors. They will also make sure any household altars are tidy and leave offerings either at the grave or household altar; this may include flowers, sweets or the deceased ancestor’s favorite food.

Another unique custom of Obon is that many people also create shouryouma (spirit horses) and spirit cows. These are made by giving whole cucumbers and eggplants little legs, believed to help the ancestor more quickly find their way back home.

Obon is usually observed from August 13 to 16. However, in certain areas the custom is practiced as early as mid-July. Some companies will give their employees time off to visit home, while others will use paid leave.

The history of Obon dates back over 500 years and is timelessly fascinating. It all began with Maha Maudgalyayana (Mokuren), a disciple of Buddha who is said to have used his considerable knowledge to see the spirit of his deceased mother. 

What he saw shocked him; his mother was suffering in the Realm of Hungry Ghosts.

Mokuren was advised to make offerings on the 15th day of the 7th month — which is why some places still practice the custom in mid-July — and when he did, his mother was freed from her suffering. This act became known as segaki (the feeding of “hungry ghosts”).

This ritual is still carried out at Buddhist temples and in Japanese homes to this day, presenting offerings for hungry ghosts who make their way into the world of the living while the veil between life and death is weak, such as during Obon.

It is said that Mokuren danced with joy after seeing that his mother was once more at peace, and this is where the famous Obon dance was born.

Obon is as rich with culture as so many of Japan’s unique traditions, and this custom goes far beyond simple offerings.

One of the most eye-catching customs of Obon is the floating lanterns (toro nagashi). Though this varies by region, the art of toro nagashi normally involves lighting a paper lantern and floating it down the river. This is usually believed to guide ancestors’ spirits back to the afterlife until the following Obon.

The Bon Odori dance is one of the most well-known and energetic elements of Obon, in which dancers wearing light kimono dance to the beat of Japanese taiko drums.

During the Obon period, you might stumble across a public Obon dance in parks, temples and street festivals all over Japan.

Much like every other festival in Japan, Obon festivals include all the tastiest street food and food stalls you know and love. After enjoying the vibrant colors and movements of the Obon Odori dance, head over to a food stall for delicious street foods.

At an Obon festival, street food stalls may sell:

1. Takoyaki (octopus balls)
2. Yakisoba (fried noodles)
3. Okonomiyaki (savory cabbage pancake)
4. Taiyaki (a fish-shaped waffle-like dessert)
5. Wata-ame (cotton candy)
6. Kakigori (shaved ice)
7. Kushiyaki (grilled skewers)
8. Chocolate-covered bananas
9. Crepes
10. Hot dogs
11. Corn on a stick.

Awa Odori Dance Festival in Tokushima Prefecture is Japan's best-known dance festival, with spectators lining the streets to catch a glimpse of the dancers who parade the city streets.

Also especially tempting for those who love to dance, Gujo Odori takes place in Gifu Prefecture from July to September. This festival includes 10 different variations of dance, parading from castle towns to city squares and beyond. Between the peak Obon period of August 13 to 16, it’s not uncommon to see all-night dance parties.

The Daimonji Festival in Kyoto boasts 200m-long bonfires on mountainsides, often visible from the center of the city. This custom is unique to Kyoto’s Obon rituals and worth the journey to see for yourself!

Of course, there are also many Obon festivals in Tokyo, ranging from Kanda Shrine’s Noryo Matsuri to Roppongi Hills Bon Odori, and even Bon Odori in the trendy streets of Shimokitazawa.

The custom of Obon has long since left the confines of Japan, with many countries adopting the ritual to respect their deceased ancestors.

In the Philippines, Filipinos of Japanese descent hold an Obon festival every year, paying respect to their unique ancestry, bridging Japan and the Philippines.

In Argentina’s Japanese communities, Obon is celebrated with fervor. The biggest festival is held in Colonia Urquiza, in La Plata, taking place on the sports ground of the La Plata Japanese School.

Brazil has one of the largest populations of Japanese people, and the biggest Obon celebration is held on the streets of Sao Paulo, featuring all the classic customs of dancing, taiko drums and street food. 

Obon is celebrated as far as America and Canada, usually by Japanese-Americans or Japanese-Canadians who are part of local Buddhist temples or organizations.

That means that even if you can’t get to Japan in time for Obon, you may be able to join an Obon festival closer to where you live!

Get to know unique Japanese festivals in every prefecture, find a few Tokyo street food spots and get to know the street food stalls of Fukuoka.

Obon is the Japanese custom of honoring ancestral spirits by cleaning ancestral graves, making offerings to ancestors at family graves or altars, and this is celebrated at Obon festivals filled with dancing, taiko drums and street food stalls.

Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday that takes place between October 31 and November 6th, depending on the region. Although it has different customs and traditions to Obon, it is similar in that it is a celebration of ancestral spirits — this also includes offerings, festivals and dancing.

The duration of Obon varies depending on the region, but is usually celebrated from August 13 to 16. During this time, people will return to their family home to participate in cleaning ancestral graves and providing offerings.