If you’re one of those who loves the fascination and intrigue that is followed in exploring new and enchanting cultures, then you will definitely love this festival! Explore the magic, the intense love and excitement that are boasted during one of Japan’s famed traditional festivals! This is the exquisite and the happening traditional festival of Obon. Celebrated mostly from the 13th to the 15th day of the 7th month of the year in most parts of Japan and in mid-August in other parts of the country, Obon is one festival that not only has a more intrinsic and deeper meaning but also boats fun and festivities that everyone can be a part of!
Whether it’s the traditional dances, the exotic custom of Toro nagashi (floating lanterns), or the characteristic beat of the drums that resonate during this fascinating festival from Okinawa’s parks, gardens, shrines, and temples, Obon celebrates all this and a lot more. So, experience something different this holiday season and indulge in Japan’s most significant traditional customs of the year. Be a part of the exotic celebrations that will surely make you feel larger than life! All you need to do is look for the best cheap tickets to Japan and then brace yourselves for a memorable experience of your life.
Thought behind the Festival
Obon is celebrated to commemorate one’s ancestors as it is believed that during the Obon, the spirits of their ancestors return back home. So you will find people going all out to welcome their ancestors to their homes till the end of the Obon festival when the spirits are returned back home. People are ecstatic and generous that is depicted by their generous offerings of delicious Japanese delicacies at the house altars and temples. So if you really want to experience all the dramatic celebrations and the decorations that people indulge in to welcome the departed souls, you must plan a visit to one of the Buddhist temples.
Bon Odori (folk dance)
Okinawa is bustling with energy and electrifying charisma during Obon that is not only limited to the temples and the homes. One of the most exotic of Obon celebrations involves the folk dance called Bon Odori that involves people dressed in their traditional kimonos and dancing to the songs and traditional music. The style of dances and the music played may vary from region to region but the electrifying jubilation and the ecstatic crowds will be the same. Typically this folk dance entails people lining up in a circle around a high wooden scaffold, called yagura that is made especially for the festival.
The best part is that everyone is allowed to take part in Bon Odori! So head out to these fascinating and full of energy gathering and join these welcoming circles and imitate their traditional dance steps! Feel larger than life as you dance with the others for a spectacular time of your life! But that’s not all. A fascinating tradition of Toro nagashi is also observed during these festivities.
This entails thousands of floating lanterns that are set off from the river to the ocean that depicts the spirits of the ancestors being set off. The beauty and exquisiteness that is this enchanting tradition boasts is simply beyond words. All this and a lot more is what await you in this magical traditional festival of Okinawa, Japan. So what are you waiting for? Book the next cheap flight to Okinawa now and hop on that fascinating ride of exploring this dazzling Buddhist tradition.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.