Just like summer vacations around the world, Japan has its own summer holidays called Obon Festival. Obon is a traditional event commemorating ancestors, dating back to ancient times. It is an occasion to worship and welcome the spirits of ancestors while conveying feelings of appreciation.

In this blog post, we will introduce you to this amazing tradition of Japan, show you how to celebrate it, and recommend some of the must-try sweets for the holidays. Let’s spend our summer vacation this year in an Obon Festival style!

What is Obon Festival?

Obon is a traditional Japanese event that takes place around August 15th each year. During this time, people return to their hometowns and visit family graves to pay respect. Lanterns are displayed on household altars, and offerings of sweets and fruits are presented to welcome and honor the spirits of ancestors.

Visiting family graves is a way to pay respects to ancestors and signifies the readiness to welcome them back home for a visit. Decorating the household altar with lanterns is also a sign of welcoming the ancestor spirits.

In addition to offering sweets and fruits, cucumbers and eggplants are used to create “shouryou-uma” (spirit horse) and “shoryou-ushi” (spirit cow). Swift horses made from cucumbers are meant to help ancestor spirits find their way home quickly, while cows made from eggplants would help them carry plenty of offerings for a leisurely journey back.

These traditions of lanterns and spirit horses and cows carry deep symbolism in welcoming ancestors and have been cherished customs of Obon for generations.

How Do Japanese People Celebrate Obon Festival?

During Obon, an important occasion dedicated to welcoming the ancestor spirits, how do Japanese people typically spend their time?
Now, let's take a closer look at the things people do during Obon festival in Japan.

1. Visiting Hometowns

For those living away from their hometowns, many will go back during the Obon period. It serves as an opportunity to pay respects to their ancestors and also offers a chance to visit their parents and relatives.

If a married couple is living away from their hometowns, they would visit their respective parents' homes to spend precious time with family.

2. Going on Trips

In Japan, school summer break typically falls between late July and August. Many companies would offer 3 to 5 days' vacation around August 15th for the Obon festival.

During the Obon holidays, it is common for people to return to their hometowns to pay respects at family graves and meet their parents whom they don't live with.

However, due to the extended break from school and work, it is also common for families to go on trips and make wonderful travel memories. Many regions have events such as fireworks displays during the Obon holidays, making traveling a popular option besides visiting relatives.

3.  Relaxing at Home

During the Obon holiday, some people choose to return to their hometowns, while others opt for travel. Given the anticipated crowds during this period, some individuals prefer to stay at home and enjoy a leisure time.

For those who are usually busy with work and have limited personal time, the Obon holiday offers an opportunity to pursue hobbies or engage in thorough house cleaning. 

Our Recommended Sweets for the Obon Festival!

During the Obon Festival, people have different ways of spending the holidays, some would gather with family and relatives while others would go on trips.

From here on, we will recommend some sweets that are perfect for the Obon holidays. Enjoy these festival treats whether you're at home or traveling, and immerse yourself in the Japanese Obon experience.

1. Waffle Cookies Assortment (Milk & Cocoa)

This assortment of waffle cookies is made with a crispy texture and rich flavors of milk and cocoa. With its sweet aroma and delightful mouthfeel, it's a treat that can be enjoyed by both adults and children.

The large box contains 30 cookies, making it a perfect souvenir for family gatherings. Each cookie is individually wrapped, allowing you to enjoy them at your convenience.

This assortment of waffle cookies boasts a crispy texture and rich flavors of milk and cocoa. With its sweet aroma and delightful mouthfeel, it's a treat that can be enjoyed by both adults and children.

The large box contains 30 cookies, making it a perfect souvenir for family gatherings. Each cookie is individually wrapped, allowing you to enjoy them at your convenience.

2. Tokyo Banana Cake

This delightful, steamed cake features a smooth and fluffy texture with a hint of egg flavor. Inside, you'll find a creamy banana filling that perfectly complements the softness of the steamed cake.
Tokyo Banana Cake makes for a wonderful souvenir if you're visiting your hometown from Tokyo during the Obon season.

3. Fish & Nuts (with Almonds)

This snack is a mix of Japanese dried anchovies and almonds, making it a nutritious snack rich in calcium and perfect for children.

Since Obon offers plenty of occasions to enjoy alcoholic beverages, adults appreciate the snack as a wonderful complement to their drinks too.

In addition to “Fish & Nuts (with Almonds),” we also have “Fish & Sesame” and “Shrimp & Nuts” available for your choice.

4. The Caramel

This caramel offers five different flavors for your sweet delight.

• Almond: Caramel with a rich almond flavor made with fresh cream from Hokkaido.
• Milk: Classic milk caramel made with butter and fresh cream from Hokkaido.
• Rose: Peach-flavored caramel with a hint of fragrant rose.
• Lorraine Rock Salt: Salted caramel made with fresh cream from Hokkaido and rock salt from Lorraine.
• Coffee Milk: Milk complements the rich coffee flavor, creating a delightful caramel treat for your taste buds.

Summary: How to Enjoy the Obon Festival and Its Must-Try Sweets

In this blog post, we talked about how to spend the Obon Festival in Japan and our recommended sweets.

The Obon Festival, a longstanding tradition in Japan, was initially dedicated to honoring ancestors by visiting graves and making offerings. Nowadays, people also enjoy the occasion by traveling or relaxing at home.

We encourage you to enjoy this summer with the delicious sweets from Zelico, and celebrate the Obon Festival like people do in Japan.