KEY TAKEAWAYS

• What is Obon Festival in Japan and what do Japanese do?

• How can I learn the Obon Festival Dance?

• What is the history of Obon Dance & Festivals in Japan?

• What does Obon Festival mean?

Obon in Japan is one of the country’s most important annual traditions

Daniel TJ International Correspondent Tokyo, Japan

Obon is a time when families come together, ancestors are honored, and communities are filled with light, sound, and deep meaning. If you’ve ever wondered, “What exactly is Obon in Japan, and what do Japanese people actually do during this festival?” this video will give you a full, real-world explanation with examples you won’t find in quick travel blogs.

Obon is usually held in mid-August (though in some regions it’s celebrated in mid-July), and it’s a Buddhist-inspired custom that dates back hundreds of years. The belief is that during Obon, the spirits of deceased family members return to the world of the living to visit their loved ones. Families prepare for this by cleaning and decorating graves, setting up offerings in their homes, and taking part in community dances called Bon Odori.

In many cities, you’ll see people dressed in summer yukata, gathering in public squares or temple grounds for Bon Odori. These dances are easy to join, and the steps often tell a story connected to local culture or history. Lanterns are a big part of the celebration, too — they’re used to guide the spirits back home at the start of Obon and then to light their way back to the spirit world at the end. Some towns even hold breathtaking tōrō nagashi events, where candle-lit lanterns are floated down rivers at night, creating a magical glow.

During Obon, families often prepare special foods such as seasonal vegetables, fruits, and sweet rice treats. In some areas, people create cucumber and eggplant “spirit animals” — cucumbers representing horses to bring the spirits quickly home, and eggplants representing cows to carry them slowly back. This tradition blends symbolism, care, and a sense of connection across generations.

Travelers visiting Japan during Obon will notice that it’s not just a “festival” but also a homecoming period. Many Japanese people return to their hometowns to spend time with relatives, visit cemeteries, and reconnect with their roots. It’s also one of the busiest travel seasons in the country, so trains, buses, and flights are often booked solid.

Some key things Japanese people do during Obon include:

• Grave Visits (Ohaka-mairi): Families clean gravestones, place flowers, incense, and food offerings.

• Bon Odori Dances: Community gatherings with traditional songs and dance steps.

• Lantern Lighting: Guiding ancestral spirits to and from the home.

• Home Altars (Butsudan): Decorating altars with offerings of food, incense, and flowers.

• Family Reunions: Sharing meals and stories together.

• Fire Ceremonies: Such as the famous Daimonji Gozan Okuribi in Kyoto, where giant bonfires in the shape of kanji characters are lit on mountainsides to send spirits off.

This video walks you through real-life examples from different parts of Japan, including how Obon is celebrated in both big cities and small countryside towns. You’ll see how traditions can vary depending on the region, yet the core meaning stays the same — respect for ancestors, connection to family, and appreciation for life.

We also talk about the modern side of Obon. Younger generations might celebrate in a lighter way, mixing traditional elements with summer festivals, fireworks, and music. At the same time, many people are committed to keeping the deeper meaning alive.

Whether you’re a traveler planning your first trip to Japan, someone studying Japanese culture, or just curious about the country’s customs, this video will help you understand the heart of Obon and why it continues to be such an important part of Japanese life.

Watch until the end to see authentic scenes of Bon Odori, lantern floating, and fire ceremonies — and find out which foods and customs are most unique to different regions.

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By the end of this video, you’ll have a clear picture of what Obon is, how it’s celebrated, and why it continues to bring people together across generations.

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