Obon

Obon is a traditional Japanese Buddhist festival honoring the spirits of ancestors. Usually held in mid-July or August, it involves paying respects through rituals like cleaning graves, offering food, and lighting lanterns to guide spirits back home. The festival also features dancing (Bon Odori), music, and communal gatherings, emphasizing family connections and the cyclical nature of life and death. Obon fosters remembrance, gratitude, and a sense of spiritual continuity, blending religious practices with cultural traditions that bring communities together in honoring their heritage.