Latest news with #Obon
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Bon Odori: Festival meant to honour ancestors now beloved cultural showcase in Penang
GEORGE TOWN, July 18 — Every year, around the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, Obon was held in Japan to honour the spirits of their ancestors. Obon is a Japanese memorial service held to honour the souls of departed ancestors who were believed to have returned home during that period. Interestingly, this overlapped with the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival's main day to pray to the deceased with the same belief that spirits of their ancestors returned home during that period. The earliest record of Obon being practiced to welcome ancestors' souls with prayers and visiting them was dated 606 by the Empress Suiko (r. 593–628). Over the years, other influences were introduced such as the chanting of nenbutsu prayers and furyū, a lively folk dance, that formed the basis for the Bon Odori festivals that is being held today. Performances during Bon Odori 2024 in Penang. — Picture via Facebook/ Penang Global Tourism The folk dances performed during Bon Odori were passed down from long ago to coordinate with the lyrics that were initially to receive spirits and send them off again. Now, in modern times, the festival has become a cultural celebration to liven up summers in Japan while the religious aspect was mostly lost. Since most of the choreography of the dances were based around yukata, a light cotton kimono Japanese wear during summer, most participants and attendees will be dressed in their best yukata. Though the dances were the main feature of the festival, other activities are also held such as games stalls and an array of food stalls. Bon Odori in Penang While Bon Odori festivals are held over two to four nights or even up to six weeks in different cities in Japan, the festival is held for one night in Penang. Bon Odori was first introduced in Penang back in the early 1990s when it was organised by the Japanese community living in Penang and by Japanese companies in the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone. The festival started small, only held within the Penang Japanese School grounds or in company premises for Japanese expatriates living here to stay connected to their cultural traditions. According to tourism committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, as interest in Japanese culture grew, Bon Odori was then held at Padang Kota Lama in the early 2000s. 'Bon Odori evolved into a state-supported event, co-organised by the Consulate-General of Japan, the Penang state government, Penang Global Tourism, and the Penang Japanese Association,' he said. Today, the Bon Odori festival has become one of Penang's main cultural highlights that attracted visitors from other states and tourists alike. Bon Odori 2025 This year, Penang Bon Odori will be held on July 19 at Padang Kota Lama from 5pm onwards. Seen in this picture is a snapshot of Bon Odori 2024 in Penang. The celebration has now become a regular feature in Penang. — Picture via Facebook/ Penang Global Tourism Wong said the theme this year — 'Akari Bon Odori' (festival of lights)— reflects the state's hope to illuminate the night sky as well as shine a light on the spirit of community, friendship and togetherness. As with each annual Bon Odori festival, there will be traditional Bon Odori dances on the main stage where everyone is encouraged to participate as they converge on the field. 'There will also be taiko drum performances and martial arts demonstrations,' he said. There will be booths on another section of the field with cultural workshops such as calligraphy, origami and dressing up in yukatas. Festival games, cultural exhibitions and performances will be held by university troupes from Japan while Japanese street food will be available at the food stalls along with Penang's own street food. Wong said the night of festivities will culminate in a fireworks display at the end of the evening. Crowds at the cultural booths during Bon Odori 2024. — Picture by Opalyn Mok.
Asahi Shimbun
7 days ago
- Asahi Shimbun
Yamagata bullet train stoppage cause remains unidentified
An E8 series Shinkansen train halts on the tracks mid-journey due to a technical failure in Tochigi Prefecture on June 17. (Koichi Ueda) One month after technical failures halted the Yamagata Shinkansen Line, train operations remain significantly reduced, affecting tens of thousands of passengers and significantly disrupting regional tourism and transportation. Yoichi Kise, president of East Japan Railway Co. (JR East), apologized on July 15 for the inconvenience, as the operator has yet to identify a definitive cause of the malfunctions and resume normal operations. Direct service between Tokyo Station and Shinjo Station in Yamagata Prefecture has been reduced to a single round trip per day, with passengers often needing to transfer at Fukushima Station in between. JR East plans to increase the number to three round trips beginning July 19. Seat reservations, which typically can be made one month in advance, remain suspended for the busy Obon holiday period due to the uncertain timetable. The ongoing disruptions have dealt a significant blow to Yamagata's tourism industry, particularly during the popular cherry-picking season. According to prefectural officials, local accommodations have recorded at least 6,000 cancellations. Some residents and businesses have expressed frustration over what they perceive as insufficient follow-up support from JR East. "The biggest impact is on tourism and business travel," said Hideya Yano, who represents local chambers of commerce, on July 15 after urging the transportation ministry and JR East to take action. "It's impossible to plan ahead and connections are extremely inconvenient," he added. Yamagata Governor Mieko Yoshimura echoed public sentiment earlier this month, stating that some residents feel as though they've been abandoned. Concerns are also rising among stakeholders in the popular Ginzan Onsen spa resort in Obanazawa. "We're facing serious uncertainty about future bookings," said a spokesperson from the local tourism association. "There's a real fear that Yamagata is vanishing from travelers' destination lists." SAME CHIP SUSPECTED RESPONSIBLE The initial failures occurred on June 17, when four E8 series trains suffered malfunctions mid-journey between Tokyo and Yamagata. A critical power supply unit responsible for cooling the motor control system failed, causing the trains to become inoperable. A fifth train suffered a similar breakdown on June 30, raising concerns about a systemic issue in the new fleet that debuted last year. Investigations revealed that a specific semiconductor component within the power units had been damaged in each case. JR East engineers have since determined that each malfunction occurred under a specific combination of circuit boards and semiconductors. While they suspect the issues arose under particular environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, the root cause remains unknown. Currently, only six E8 trains remain in operation, coupled with other models. They are running exclusively on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line, which connects Tokyo Station and Shin-Aomori Station. The stretch between Fukushima Station and Shinjo Station–unique to the Yamagata Shinkansen Line–is currently serviced by older E3 Series trains. However, up to 37 train services are canceled daily due to a shortage of operational vehicles, affecting more than 250,000 passengers so far. (This article was compiled from reports by Ayateru Hosozawa, Koichi Anzai and Toru Saito.)
Time Out
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
3 fantastic Bon Odori festivals happening in Tokyo this July 19-21 long weekend
Tokyo's summer festival season is in full swing, and this upcoming long weekend perfectly encapsulates the city's vibrant energy. What makes the Marine Day weekend especially exciting is the variety of traditional events on offer, including a number of Bon Odori festivities happening across the city. Bon Odori is a lively summer dance held during the Obon period to honour ancestors – a tradition that's been around for over 500 years. People gather around a yagura stage, dancing in circles to the rhythm of the music. It's a festive, feel-good way to spend a summer night – and the perfect chance to show off your best dance moves. Here are three Bon Odori festivals you can join this weekend. Sendagaya Bon Odori Festival, July 18-19 To kick things off, stop by the Sendagaya Bon Odori Festival taking place at Hato no Mori Hachiman Shrine. You can expect food stalls set up by local businesses, as well as games and activities for children. Plus, of course, the requisite communal dancing. Not familiar with the moves? No worries. Drop by around 4pm to learn the choreography, and you can join in one of the Bon Odori dances happening at 5.30pm, 7pm and 7.50pm (5.30pm, 6.45pm and 8pm on Saturday). Daibon, July 19 Get ready to get your groove on at Daibon, a modern rendition of the traditional Bon Odori festival held at Hachiman Shrine in Nakano ward's Yamatocho. Here, the customary Bon Odori festivities are fused with a line-up of DJs and contemporary artists, merging the timeless traditions with the energetic pulse of new-wave beats. Watch as the festival comes alive with live DJ sets, which have in the past featured eclectic talents like Chinbantei Goraku Shisho, and the invigorating performances of Korean percussionists. Daibon takes the typical Bon Odori experience a step further, creating a fusion of sounds that should strike a chord with revellers of all ages. Jiyugaoka Noryo Bon Odori Festival, July 19-21 The public square in front of Jiyugaoka Station is hosting a massive Bon Odori festival between July 19 and 21. Expect lively dancing to begin at 6.30pm each night (7pm on July 19) to the tune of Bon Odori classics such as 'Tokyo Ondo', as well as a more modern line-up of music featuring remixes of contemporary J-pop songs such as 'RPG' from Sekai no Owari and 'Takaneno Hanakosan' by Back Number. New for 2025 is a special kids' dance session beginning at 5.30pm (6.10pm on July 19), making the Noryo Bon Odori a fun and family-friendly night out. The Fuji Rock timetable for 2025 is here The timetable for Summer Sonic 2025 is out now
Japan Today
05-07-2025
- Japan Today
A beginner's guide to climbing Mount Fuji
If you were looking for an image to represent Japan, chances are the perfect snow-capped cone of Mount Fuji would be high on your list. It's not just there to admire from a distance, however. Climbing Mount Fuji is at the top of many people's bucket lists, and there's no time like the present to take up the challenge. However, due to overtourism, new regulations are being instated. Starting in 2025, hikers without hut reservations will be restricted from climbing Mount Fuji between 2 p.m. and 3 a.m. to prevent overnight climbing. Additionally, hikers must submit an online application. The official climbing season annually starts in early July and ends in early September. Remember, trails are closed outside the climbing season. Choose Your Mount Fuji Trail Each trail offers a different experience. Image: iStock Liyao Xie There are four different trails you can take to reach the summit of Mount Fuji: Yoshida (yellow), Subashiri (red), Gotemba (green) and Fujinomiya (blue). Trails are split into 10 stages, and most climbers will start from the fifth station of each trail. New Regulations For Climbing Mount Fuji Starting this year, new regulations will apply to all Mount Fuji trails: Gates close from 2 p.m. to 3 a.m., except for those with hut reservations. The fee for climbing Mount Fuji has been raised to ¥4,000 per person (regardless of age) on all trails. Climbers must register their plans online beforehand. Yamanashi Prefecture (Yoshida Trail): Hikers are limited to 4,000 people per day. Reservations made in advance should be booked through this link. Mount Fuji rangers or prefectural employees can refuse passage to climbers who lack the necessary gear or provisions. Shizuoka Prefecture (Subashiri, Gotemba and Fujinomiya): No restriction on the number of hikers. Reservations made in advance should be made through the official Shizuoka Fuji Navi App. Climbers are required to go through an e-learning or on-site safety seminar prior to hiking Mount Fuji. Present the QR codes to the staff at the entrance More information on the characteristics of each trail can be found on the official website for climbing Mount Fuji. The Best Time to Climb Mount Fuji Mount Fuji tends to be most crowded from July 20 to the end of August, when the weather is more stable and the schools are on holiday. Aim for a weekday and skip the Obon holiday from August 13 to 15 to avoid the worst crowds. However, even during the official climbing season, temperatures can vary significantly, and sudden weather changes are common. It's crucial to check the weather forecast before climbing and be prepared for rain, strong winds and significant temperature drops, especially as you approach the summit. Seeing The Sunrise You have two options for reaching the summit at sunrise (goraikou): Start in the early afternoon and rest at a mountain hut before heading to the summit after midnight. Start in the late evening and power through without a long break. If you need a rest, stay at a mountain hut. Be aware that the summit's pre-dawn temperature can drop to around 0℃, and you'll feel much chillier when you're not moving. Click here to read more. External Link © GaijinPot
Japan Forward
03-07-2025
- General
- Japan Forward
Yasukuni Shrine and the Religious Spirit of the Japanese People
Yasukuni Shrine celebrated its founding anniversary on June 29. Soon it will host the vibrant Mitama Festival, held from the evening of July 13 to July 16. Timed to coincide with the modern Obon season, the festival draws large crowds of worshippers. It stands alongside the annual spring and autumn festivals (April 22 and October 18) as one of the shrine's most significant annual events. Over its three-week period, which also includes Okinawa Memorial Day on June 23, public attention naturally renews on the many issues surrounding Yasukuni Shrine. On a more personal note, July 10 marks the anniversary of the death of the shrine's sixth guji (chief priest), the late Nagakuni Matsudaira. Matsudaira once observed that "Yasukuni is a shrine under intense political pressure." This reflection was born from the many political storms he faced and steadfastly navigated during his tenure as guji. Fortunately, the details of these struggles are preserved in Seiron Extra No. 33: 150 Years of Yasukuni Shrine – Spirits of the Fallen and the Emperor's Worship . The Sankei Shimbun published it in December 2018, and it stands as an invaluable historical record. Even seven years after its release, the volume remains an authoritative resource, virtually an encyclopedia on Yasukuni Shrine. It provides clear and comprehensive answers to the wide range of questions readers continue to raise. Most notably, it includes an annotated reprint of Matsudaira's post-retirement testimony, "The Real Reason Why the Emperor's Visits to Yasukuni Ceased." Many regard this as the most nuanced and definitive account of one of postwar Japan's most politically sensitive issues. Thanks to the dedication of those who have long revered Yasukuni Shrine, it has weathered numerous challenges in the postwar era. A closer look at its outward form and its spiritual core reveals the shrine's striking consistency in upholding its identity, even through times of great upheaval. This enduring constancy serves as a powerful symbol of the original essence of Japanese religious sentiment. At its core, the Japanese sense of religion is rooted in ancestor worship and the veneration of ancestral spirits. Many believe that through reverent rituals, these spirits transform into protective deities watching over their descendants. This vertical bond, between the living and their deified forebears, eventually extends horizontally into community life. In turn, this gives rise to the ujigami (local guardian deities) and ujiko (parishioners) system, which is the spiritual foundation of villages across Japan. It was in this rich soil that Japanese religiosity took firm root. From the late Heian period (794-1185) to the early Kamakura era (1185-1333), the idea of enshrining guardian deities on a national scale emerged from the warrior clans and feudal domains. By the mid-16th century, Japan engaged in increasingly complex diplomacy with Portugal, Spain, and Ming China. Out of this emerged a new awareness, a sense of Japan as a nation situated within the broader world. Visitors queue up in the summer heat to pay their respects. Yasukuni Shrine, August 15, 2024 (© JAPAN Forward by Daniel Manning) In the mid-19th century, Western ships from the United States, Russia, and Britain began pressing Japan to open its ports. Many in Japan viewed these demands as a national crisis. In response to the upheaval that followed, officials established the Shokonsha (literally 'soul-inviting shrine'). It enshrined those who died fighting for the imperial restoration in the Boshin War (1868–69). From the outset, its purpose was clear: to honor these fallen as "martyrs to the nation." Following the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877, which resulted in even greater casualties than the Boshin War, the number of enshrined spirits exceeded 10,000. This prompted growing discomfort with the name Shokonsha, which implied a temporary resting place. The shrine's mission evolved into something more enduring: to permanently enshrine the spirits of those who gave their lives for the nation. In recognition of this, a new name was chosen — Yasukuni Shrine. Nearly 150 years have passed since the founding of Yasukuni Shrine. In that time, Japan faced numerous overseas conflicts. From the First Sino-Japanese War to the Russo-Japanese War, there were approximately 130,000 war dead. Including the casualties of the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Greater East Asia War, Yasukuni Shrine has enshrined more than 2.32 million souls. These individuals gave their lives in the noble service of defending the homeland. As such, the Japanese people revere them as guardian spirits of the nation. Their memory is honored not only by ordinary citizens. The Emperor himself also honors it, and has long offered sincere reverence as one protected by these spirits. This relationship of respect and devotion has endured, unchanged even after Japan's defeat in World War II. If one were to ask what defines the religious spirit of the Japanese people, a question of academic depth, Yasukuni Shrine offers one of the most profound answers. The shrine's evolving relationship with the public reveals shifting perspectives within Japanese society. Views on war, the world, life and death, Shinto, Buddhism, and even monotheistic religions have all intersected through this relationship. Seen through this lens, religion in Japan is not an isolated domain, but one deeply woven into the fabric of everyday life. (Read the Seiron essay in Japanese.) Author: Keiichiro Kobori, Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo
