Date: Mid-August

Obon usually occurs in mid-August in Tokyo and the central regions, but there are variations on when it is held throughout Japan.  The festival lasts for three days and is held each year to guide dead spirits home. Obon has become a family reunion type holiday in Japan.

It is a Buddist tradition and  it is believed that deceased relatives return to their family home during this period. During this holiday family members return to the family home and often sweep and tend to the graves of their deceased ancestors.Offerings of fruit, vegetables, and other food are place in front of shrines to honor the dead. Toward the end of Obon incense are burned and small fires are lit near the graves to send of the spirits and help guide them back to heaven. The actual obon celebrations differ by region in Japan. In some areas they make small animals out of vegetables and toothpicks and display them in the house. These animals are said to be for the purpose of bearing lost spirits home. In other areas they light Totonagashi (floating paper lanterns) and release them on rives and the sea. This is a breathtaking sight as thousands of flickering lanterns float eerily out to sea. Each city often has a festival where Bon Odori (Bon Dance), a distinctive dance is performed. These festivals often culminate in fireworks.