About Obon (Bon Festival)
Obon, or simply Bon, is a Japanese Buddhist festival honouring the spirits of one's ancestors, who are believed to return to visit their families during this time. Now woven together with Buddhist custom and family tradition over more than five centuries, it is one of Japan's three major holiday seasons. Many people travel back to their hometowns to be with family, clean and decorate household altars and graves, and welcome the returning spirits home.
Households light lanterns to guide the spirits, make offerings of food at the family altar, and visit graves to clean them and pay respects. The festival's most joyful feature is Bon Odori, a folk dance performed in summer clothing around a raised platform called a yagura, to the beat of taiko drums. Many regions hold their own distinctive dances and music. Obon often closes with toro nagashi, the floating of paper lanterns down rivers and out to sea to send the ancestors' spirits gently back.
Most of Japan observes Obon over August 13 to 16, though Tokyo and some other areas keep it in mid-July and a few regions follow the older lunar timing. The live countdown above tracks the main mid-August Obon for you. If you would like the holiday in view, you can add this countdown to your own page in a few clicks.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Thursday, August 13, 2026next |
| 2027 | Friday, August 13, 2027 |
| 2028 | Sunday, August 13, 2028 |
| 2029 | Monday, August 13, 2029 |
| 2030 | Tuesday, August 13, 2030 |
FAQ
When is Obon in Japan?
Most of Japan observes Obon from August 13 to 16, with the 13th as the welcoming day and the 16th as the farewell. Tokyo and parts of the Tohoku region instead keep it in mid-July, and a few areas follow the lunar calendar.
Why is Obon celebrated?
Obon is a Buddhist festival to honour and welcome back the spirits of ancestors, who are believed to return to visit their living families. It is a time for gratitude, remembrance and family reunion.
How is Obon celebrated?
Families clean and visit graves, light lanterns to guide the spirits and make offerings at home altars. Communities hold Bon Odori folk dances, and many areas float lanterns on water in a farewell ritual called toro nagashi.
What is Bon Odori?
Bon Odori is the folk dance at the heart of Obon, performed in summer yukata around a raised yagura platform to taiko drumming and song. Each region has its own style, and the dances welcome and console the returning spirits.