Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple’s Obon Festival will be held on the weekend of July 26 and 27, from 1 to 9 p.m.
This celebration in honor of our ancestors is one of the highlights of the Little Tokyo community, and this year promises to be another exciting event.
The main attraction is the colorful Bon Odori, the folk dancing associated with Obon, where everyone, experienced or not, is invited to join in.
In addition to the delicious lineup of food and drinks available, there are games for kids and adults to enjoy. There is also the ever-popular Farmers Market and the Flower and Plant Shop.
TaikoProject will perform on Sunday at 4:30 p.m., and our own children’s group, Kitsune Taiko, will play on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The adult group, Bombu Taiko, will play both days at 3:30 p.m. In addition, Kokoro will provide musical entertainment on Saturday at 4:15 p.m. The Lumbini Preschool kids will also perform what they have learned this year on Sunday at 4 p.m.
The very exciting happyfunsmile will be back again on Sunday at 6 p.m. to lead us into what is sure to be a memorable Bon Odori. New to Higashi Obon, Team Kawachi Ondo/Kansai Club and Tottori Club will lead us into Bon Odori on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Obon/Hatsubon service on Sunday at 11 a.m. Manto-e services both days at 5:30 p.m.
The event is free to attend and open to the public. Higashi Honganji is located at 505 E. Third St. (at Central) in Little Tokyo. For more information, call the temple office at (213) 626-4200, visit the website at hhbt-la.org, or email info@hhbt-la.org.
Go green at Obon by bringing your own reusable bag and water bottle!
Parking will be available at the Medical Building, 420 E. Third St. (entrance on Boyd Street), for a discounted maximum daily fee of $5 plus a complimentary Obon raffle ticket valued at $5. In order to receive your discount voucher and raffle ticket, please bring your stub to the raffle booth. Parking validations are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may run out. Please note that the parking lot opens at 10 a.m. and closes promptly at 10 p.m.