Come Celebrate OBON (お盆) in Japantown!

A 500 year old ceremonial tradition, residents throughout Japan travel back to their family homes to honor their ancestors during Obon season. Originating from the Chinese Ghost Festival of Buddhist and Taoist nature, the Japan Obon Festival follows the idea that during three days in August, those in the living realm perform rituals to converge with and absolve the suffering of our deceased ancestors. Family rituals may include visits to the local temple, the cleaning of ancestral graves, the lighting of fire and lanterns, and reunions with loved ones enjoying ceremonial foods and family traditions. Although rituals may vary by region, most cities in Japan gather in a celebratory night of dancing and reuniting with loved ones, under the glimmer of festival lanterns, dancing to the sounds of taiko and songs of the past, often dressed in festival wear called yukata.

Dance to the Sounds of Taiko and Folk Music by Ensohza

We invite you to journey back to Japantown and join us in community to honor and connect with your ancestors by dancing with us to the sounds of taiko and folk music by Ensohza.

Dress in traditional festival wear or a ‘remix’ of American and Japanese pop-culture influences as an expression of you!

Resources for Festival Wear

How-to videos:

Japantown resources for festival dress:

Japantown resources for pop-culture dress:

Japantown resource for Uchiwa (fans) and Katchi Katch: Papertree

Online resource: https://www.kimono-yukata-market.com/collections/women-yukata

KOHO YUKATA REMIX CONTEST!

Our ‘Yukata Remix Contest’ will take place during our obon festivities, and prizes of Japantown merchant gift cards will be awarded on stage to winners of the following categories: