Japan's Obon week is a week to honor and celebrate families and ancestors past. It is believed that during Obon the spirits of our dead ancestors will return to this world and visit their families. Traditionally lanterns are hung outside the houses to help guide the spirits back.
Daniel and I were casually riding bicycles through Yonago this evening when we hit a ton of car and pedestrian traffic. We decided to follow the crowds via bicycle to see what was going on. We were lead down small traditional roads that were unfamiliar to us – past street vendors selling flowers out of their homes, past many homes built so close together they are all connected, over the river...
We found ourselves on a back road with homes along one side and about 6 large temples all connected together on the other side. Families and locals were flooding in to the temples. We peeked through the gates at the magnificent temples and grand entrances with hundreds of stairs. I wonder if during Obon you visit each of the many temples or if certain temples are designated for certain families.
Nonetheless we were riding our bikes alongside our Japanese neighbors on the way to a very sacred ceremony which begins one of the most important holiday seasons in Japan. After a few acknowledging bows, I'd never felt so close to traditional Japan.
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