Holiday Nozawa Onsen Japan

Obon Holiday in Japan

The Obon holiday in Japan kicks off tomorrow and is one of the three major holiday times throughout Japan when the hard working Salarymen and everyone else takes a break from the rat race and head usually to the country in Japan or overseas.

Holidays Nozawa Onsen Japan — Obon in August is a great time to ” Get out of the City and Get in to Nozawa” I know where I would rather be for a holiday

It is an annual Buddhist event commemorating one’s ancestors. They believe that each year around this time that the ancestor’s spirits return to this world to visit their relatives.

Often Lanterns are strategically places in front of houses as a welcoming light for the spirits. Obon Dancing is performed and graves are visited where food offerings are made. At the end of the Obon period floating lanterns are let float down rivers to help guide the spirits back into the after world.

It is also a busy time for travel around Japan as people from the big cities head back to relative’s homes in the rural parts of the country. Nozawa is also a popular destination over this time as people escape the heat of the city and head for the cooler mountain air and to relax in an Onsen. Check out this great video

Travel is between tomorrow the 11^th of August and until the 20^th of August with the busiest times on the trains being the 11^th and 12^th then the 15^th and 16^th when everyone comes back to their homes.