ハワイ旅行･ホテル･ショッピング･グルメ･求人

When you think of summer, you think of summer festivals. And of all the summer festivals out there, one stands out above the rest - the Obon Celebration! For anyone who's lived in the islands for a long time, the Obon Celebration is a very nostalgic summer festival. But in Hawaii, where there are many non-Japanese residents, the Obon Celebration has come to be known universally as the "Bon Dance". And every summer, you'll hear the distinct music of the Bon Dance echoing from nearby temples and shrines.

When you go to these summer festivals, you'll often see people dressed in their summer kimonos and hapi coats. The site itself is intricately decorated, with red and white streamers and paper lanterns hanging everywhere.

The music played ranges from Okinawan folksongs, to Japanese national folksongs. Many dance clubs are on hand for the event, with their kimono-clad members often the first ones dancing and getting the festivities started.

Food carts line the area surrounding the festival grounds, selling things like fried noodles, fried corn, bentos, andaki (an Okinawan-style donut), and shave ice. It's hard not to get caught up in the festive atmosphere with all this good food around!

The Obon Celebration is one of Hawaii's most popular events. It's so popular, that the Honolulu Advertiser, Hawaii's largest newspaper, even releases an Obon calendar each year. So if you've been wondering what Obon is all about, now's the time to check it out!