What events are there during Obon Festival in Tokyo?

During Obon, there are many traditional activities in Tokyo and surrounding areas. Here are some common activities during Bon Festival in Tokyo and surrounding areas:

1. Bon Yu (bon dance): During Bon Festival, people will hold Bon Festival activities. This is a traditional Japanese Obon dance, usually performed on the eve of Obon. People celebrate Obon by forming a circle in a square or temple and dancing to the rhythm of traditional music.

2. Tomb-sweeping in the cemetery: On the first day of Bon Festival, people will go to the cemetery to sweep the tombs. They will clean the tombstones and cemeteries and offer incense, flowers and other things that their ancestors liked to welcome their deceased ancestors.

3. Yingshenhuo (Yingshenhuo): During Obon, people will burn hemp stems on clay vessels as a sign of welcoming the souls of their ancestors into the present world. This is an ancient custom that is still popular in some areas.

4. Send the sacred fire (神火): On the last day of Obon, people will burn hemp stalks at home to send the souls of their ancestors back to other worlds. This is also an ancient custom that is still popular in some areas.

5. Five Mountains Send Fire (五山sendり火): Along the Sumida River in Tokyo, there are five mountains that light huge bonfires during Obon. This event is called "Five Mountains Send Fire" and is one of the most spectacular events during Obon. The origins of this event date back to the Edo period, and it has become one of Tokyo's summer traditions.

In addition to the above-mentioned activities, there are many other traditional activities during Bon Festival, such as elf horse parades, sacrificial activities and celebration banquets. If you would like more information about events in and around Tokyo during Obon, we recommend consulting local tourism agencies or referring to local newspapers and online resources.