Obon and Summer Festivals
All things Obon, mainly from our annual Obon and Summer Festivals Guide, published in June.
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Rev. Yuki Sugahara strums along with Dharma messages
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The Rev. Yuki Sugahara, the new rinban for the Buddhist Church of Sacramento, was born to be a minister, almost literally. The Shimane Prefecture native’s parents are both ministers. His […] READ MORE
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Bonbu Stories: A Yonsei look at Obon through ‘Lantern Song’
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As the 2024 Obon season kicks off and various churches hold their Bon Odori, many of the annual dances will be playing a new tune. Celebrating the Buddhist Churches of […] READ MORE
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Actress Tamlyn Tomita’s intro to and connection to Obon
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LOS ANGELES — With the onset of summer, Japanese Americans are preparing to enjoy themselves at a large number of festivals — both the Buddhist Obon observances and secular summer […] READ MORE
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Toro Nagashi: Creating a sense of gratitude for ancestors
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The tradition of floating lanterns on water is said to have started in China, yet in Japan, they have become part of a ritual to guide souls to return to […] READ MORE
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Nikkei celebrate at ‘Queer O-bon’
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LOS ANGELES — On June 19, Okaeri, an advocacy group for LGBTQ+ Nikkei, held their first “Queer O-bon” at the Terasaki Budokan in the city’s Little Tokyo. Colorful origami […] READ MORE
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LET’S TALK … About gratitude
Satsuki Ina, Nichi Bei Weekly Columnist
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Obon festivals in Japanese American communities across the country signal the heart of summer and the gathering of families and friends for Bon Odori, festive lanterns, taiko drums, and our […] READ MORE
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Bon Odori is a tradition even far from the West Coast
GIL ASAKAWA, Nichi Bei Weekly Contributor
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Japanese Americans who don’t live on the West Coast joke that you can go to a different Bon Odori every weekend in California, and dance away your summer. Not so […] READ MORE
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Season of Obon
Rev. Ken Yamada
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In the summer heat, Japanese love a good ghost story that’ll send chills up their spine. In some ways, the Obon tradition reflects that feeling with crowds of people dancing […] READ MORE
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FANTASTIC VOYAGE: What is Obon for a Buddhist reverend in Japan?
Jeff Asai, Nichi Bei Weekly Columnist
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The word Obon in America, and the word in Japan, are two very different things. Many people in America link Obon to the street festivals and dancing that takes place […] READ MORE
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