お盆(ぼん)

おぼん
noun
Obon festival
1. Obon; Bon Festival
A Japanese Buddhist festival to honor the spirits of ancestors, typically held in mid-August.
お盆(ぼん)に故郷(ふるさと)に帰(かえ)る。
I return to my hometown during Obon.
お盆(ぼん)は先祖(せんぞ)の霊(れい)を迎(むか)える行事(ぎょうじ)だ。
Obon is an event to welcome the spirits of ancestors.
お盆(ぼん)休(やす)みに旅行(りょこう)する。
I travel during the Obon holiday.

お盆(ぼん) (Obon) is one of the three major holidays in Japan, along with New Year and Golden Week.

CULTURAL TRADITIONS:

  • 盆踊(ぼんおど)り: Bon dance
  • 迎(むか)え火(び): welcoming fire
  • 送(おく)り火(び): sending fire
  • 墓参(はかまい)り: visiting graves

TIMING:
The dates vary by region (mid-July or mid-August), but August 13-16 is most common.

general
Added 2026.1.16 17:15 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
05500/05587_obon