{"id":3805,"date":"2022-06-10T10:10:33","date_gmt":"2022-06-10T08:10:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog?p=3805"},"modified":"2026-06-22T14:46:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T12:46:05","slug":"obon-festival-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/obon-festival-in-japan","title":{"rendered":"Obon Festival Guide: Meaning, Traditions and Dates"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>The Obon festival<\/strong> (\u304a\u76c6, also known as Bon festival) is an <strong>annual Japanese holiday<\/strong> that commemorates and <strong>remembers deceased ancestors<\/strong>. It is believed that their spirits return at this time to visit their relatives.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><strong>Chochin paper lanterns<\/strong> are hung to guide the spirits, and <strong>Obon dances<\/strong> (bon odori) are performed. Families have reunions, visit the graves of their relatives, and make <strong>food offerings at altars and temples<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Obon is traditionally observed from the <strong>13th to the 15th day of the 7th month<\/strong>. According to the solar calendar, the 7th month is July, while according to the lunar calendar, the 7th month is August.<\/p>\n<p>This means Obon is <strong>celebrated at different times in different regions<\/strong> depending on which calendar is observed.<\/p>\n<p>The main Obon dates in Japan in 2026 are <strong>August 13-15<\/strong>, although some places celebrate between July 13-15. Many travelers should also plan around August 16, when major Obon-related events such as Kyoto\u2019s Gozan no Okuribi take place.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Obon week<\/strong> in mid-August is one of Japan\u2019s three major holiday seasons, making it one of the busiest times of the year for traveling. In 2026, the peak Obon travel period is expected to <strong>run from August 8 to 16<\/strong>, with heavy outbound travel from major cities on August 8 and August 11-13, and busy return journeys on August 15-16.<\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_white no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Table of Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#Obon_2026_dates_at_a_glance\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">1<\/span> Obon 2026 dates at a glance<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Obon_traditions_and_celebrations\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">2<\/span> Obon traditions and celebrations<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Floating_lanterns_toro_nagashi\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.1<\/span> Floating lanterns (toro nagashi)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Bon_Odori\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.2<\/span> Bon Odori<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Traveling_during_Obon_in_Japan\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">3<\/span> Traveling during Obon in Japan<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Obon_festivals_in_Japan\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">4<\/span> Obon festivals in Japan<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#The_origins_of_Obon\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">5<\/span> The origins of Obon<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#FAQs_about_Obon_Festival\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">6<\/span> FAQs about Obon Festival<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Is_Obon_a_public_holiday_in_Japan\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">6.1<\/span> Is Obon a public holiday in Japan?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#When_is_Obon_in_Japan_in_2026\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">6.2<\/span> When is Obon in Japan in 2026?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Is_it_a_good_time_to_travel_in_Japan\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">6.3<\/span> Is it a good time to travel in Japan?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#What_do_people_do_during_Obon\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">6.4<\/span> What do people do during Obon?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"Obon_2026_dates_at_a_glance\">Obon 2026 dates at a glance<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In 2026, the main Obon period in Japan is <strong>August 13-15<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Some regions observe <strong>Obon from July 13-15<\/strong>, depending on the calendar used locally. Major events may also take place just after Obon, including <strong>Kyoto\u2019s Gozan no Okuribi<\/strong> on August 16.<\/p>\n<p>The busiest travel period is expected <strong>around August 8-16, 2026<\/strong>, so train reservations, accommodation, and long-distance travel should be planned in advance.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Obon_traditions_and_celebrations\">Obon traditions and celebrations<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>On the <strong>first day of Obon<\/strong>, people take chochin lanterns to their family graves. They call their ancestors\u2019 spirits back home in a ritual called <strong><em>mukae-bon<\/em><\/strong>, or \u201cwelcoming Bon\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>In some regions, <strong>huge fires are lit<\/strong> at the entrances of houses to guide the spirits inside.<\/p>\n<p>At the <strong>end of the Obon festival<\/strong>, families help their ancestors\u2019 spirits <strong>return to the spirit world<\/strong> by guiding them with their chochin lanterns. The ritual is called <em><strong>okuri-bon<\/strong><\/em>, or \u201csending-off Bon\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Again, the custom varies slightly between different regions of Japan.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Floating_lanterns_toro_nagashi\">Floating lanterns (toro nagashi)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>During some Obon celebrations, floating lanterns, known as <strong>toro nagashi<\/strong>, are released onto rivers or the sea.<\/p>\n<p>The lanterns symbolically <strong>send ancestors\u2019 spirits back to the spirit world<\/strong>, although customs vary from region to region.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Bon_Odori\">Bon Odori<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The style of the <strong>traditional Bon Odori dance<\/strong> varies from region to region. It is often based around the rhythms of <strong>Japanese taiko drums<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Dancers perform on a <strong>yagura stage<\/strong>, and participants often yukata, a light cotton summer kimono. Anyone can join in the dances, which are held in parks, temples, and other <strong>public places around Japan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3809\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3809\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3809\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/bon-odori-paper-lanterns.jpg\" alt=\"Bon Odori paper lanterns\" width=\"700\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/bon-odori-paper-lanterns.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/bon-odori-paper-lanterns-300x193.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3809\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chochin lanterns to guide the spirits. Photo by: Fabian Reus @Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n            <a class=\"fasc-button banner-button-shortcode fasc-size-large fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium ico-fa fasc-ico-after fa-chevron-circle-right fasc-style-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/the-japan-rail-pass\">\n                Buy your JR Pass\n            <\/a>\n        <\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Traveling_during_Obon_in_Japan\">Traveling during Obon in Japan<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Obon is <strong>one of the busiest travel periods in Japan<\/strong>, especially for long-distance trains, domestic flights, highways, and hotels.<\/p>\n<p>Many people return to their hometowns or take holidays during this period, so <strong>popular routes can become crowded<\/strong>. Travelers using the JR Pass should reserve seats as early as possible, especially on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/shinkansen-bullet-trains\">Shinkansen<\/a> and limited express trains.<\/p>\n<p>Major cities may feel quieter during part of Obon, while stations, tourist areas, and family destinations can be much busier than usual.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Obon_festivals_in_Japan\">Obon festivals in Japan<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There are a number of <strong>special Obon festivals<\/strong> which tourists can visit using their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/\">JR Pass<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Kyoto\u2019s <strong>Gozan no Okuribi<\/strong>, also known for its Daimonji bonfire, is one of the most famous. In 2026, it takes place on August 16, with the first fire lit from 8 p.m.<\/p>\n<p>During the event, giant character-shaped bonfires are lit on mountainsides visible from across Kyoto. The fires are used to send off the spirits of ancestors at the end of Obon.<\/p>\n<p>For those who love to dance, the <strong>Gujo Odori Festival in Gujo Hachiman<\/strong>, Gifu Prefecture, is one of Japan\u2019s best-known Bon Odori events.<\/p>\n<p>In 2026, Gujo Odori is scheduled across 30 nights, with all-night <strong>Tetsuya Odori<\/strong> dancing during Obon from August 13 to 16. Accommodation can be difficult to find on dancing days, especially during Obon, so visitors should plan ahead.<\/p>\n<p>For a more local Bon Odori experience, there is the <strong>Hokkai Bon Odori<\/strong> in Sapporo. It is one of Hokkaido\u2019s best-known Bon Odori events and is associated with one of Japan\u2019s famous traditional folk songs.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3808\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3808\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-3808 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/daimonji-kyoto-obon-festival.jpg\" alt=\"Daimonji Kyoto Obon\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/daimonji-kyoto-obon-festival.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/daimonji-kyoto-obon-festival-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3808\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kyoto&#8217;s Gozan no Okuribi bonfire lit during the Obon festival. Photo by: J_o<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span id=\"The_origins_of_Obon\">The origins of Obon<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This <strong>Buddhist festival<\/strong> has been celebrated for <strong>more than 500 years<\/strong>. It originates from the story of <strong>Maha Maudgalyayana<\/strong>, known in Japan as Mokuren.<\/p>\n<p>He was a disciple of Buddha who used his powers to see the spirit of his deceased mother. He discovered that his mother\u2019s spirit had fallen into the <strong>Realm of Hungry Ghosts<\/strong> and was suffering.<\/p>\n<p>Buddha advised Mokuren to <strong>make offerings to Buddhist monks<\/strong>. On the 15th day of the 7th month, he followed Buddha\u2019s advice and his mother was released from her suffering.<\/p>\n<p>Mokuren danced with joy, which is said to be the <strong>origin of the Obon dance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"FAQs_about_Obon_Festival\">FAQs about Obon Festival<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span id=\"Is_Obon_a_public_holiday_in_Japan\">Is Obon a public holiday in Japan?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Obon is not a national public holiday in Japan, but many companies close or scale back operations during mid-August.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"When_is_Obon_in_Japan_in_2026\">When is Obon in Japan in 2026?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The main Obon dates in 2026 are <strong>August 13-15<\/strong>. Some regions celebrate from July 13-15, and some major events take place around August 16.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Is_it_a_good_time_to_travel_in_Japan\">Is it a good time to travel in Japan?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Obon can be a rewarding time to experience Japanese traditions, but it is also one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Booking transport and accommodation early is strongly recommended.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"What_do_people_do_during_Obon\">What do people do during Obon?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Families usually visit graves, make offerings, welcome ancestral spirits, and take part in local customs such as Bon Odori dances and lantern ceremonies.<\/p>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Is Obon a public holiday in Japan?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Obon is not a national public holiday in Japan, but many companies close or scale back operations during mid-August.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"When is Obon in Japan in 2026?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"The main Obon dates in 2026 are August 13-15. 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It is believed that their spirits return at this time to visit their relatives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3806,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[92],"tags":[],"acf":{"related_tours":{"tour_number":false},"pageresume":"The Obon festival (also known as Bon festival) is an annual Japanese holiday which commemorates and remembers deceased ancestors.","bread_1":false,"bread_2":false,"bread_3":false,"bread_4":false,"bread_5":false,"bread_6":false,"bread_7":false,"bread_last":false,"custom_guide":"","shortcodes":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.10 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Obon Festival 2026 in Japan: Meaning, Traditions and Dates<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Obon festival is one of the most important events on the Japanese calendar. 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