The Obon Festival marks August as one of the most anticipated months in Japan. Obon is an annual ritual, observed from the 13th to the 16th of August in most places around Japan. It is the time in which Japanese families return home to honour the spirits of their deceased ancestors.
According to tradition, deceased family members return to earth and are welcomed into their descendant's homes to be worshiped. Fires are set for the welcome and farewell ceremonies, and in between, families visit and clean the deceased family members' graves, make offerings of fruits and snacks, and perform a bon odori dance to entertain the ancestors. With the return of so many family members, many towns host a festival of music (including taiko drumming), dancing, food stalls selling Japanese street food and games for children. Many in attendance wear yukata, the iconic, cotton, robe-like garments most foreigners likely associate with trips to the onsen.
With Obon being foremostly a time to honour tradition, visitors to Japan should consider expanding their August itinerary with visits to some of the country's most historic sites. Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture remains relatively unchanged since its 1620 founding. Its samurai district showcases the best examples of samurai architecture in Japan and is also renowned for its hundreds of weeping cherry trees. Chiran in Kagoshima Prefecture has been relatively isolated and therefore has been able to preserve the character of its samurai district with houses and gardens dating back 250 years.