Obon (お盆)
Holiday & festival · Japan
A multi-day Buddhist custom when ancestral spirits are welcomed home — one of Japan’s biggest travel periods.
Akatsuka Suwa Shrine
Shrine · Saitama
Akatsuka Suwa Shrine, located in the city of Sakado, Saitama Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest shrines, with a history dating back to the Heian period (794-1185 CE). The shrine was dedicated to the kami, Suwa no Okami, the deity associated with the Milky Way and agriculture. Visitors can explore the shrine's traditional architecture, including the Honden and torii gates, which are adorned with vibrant vermilion paint. During the Obon festival, lanterns are hung from trees around the shrine gr
園生神社本宮
Shrine · Chiba
Kasamigaya Shrine is one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Japan, located on a hilltop in the Kasamigaya neighborhood of Saitama, not Chiba. It is known as the "capital shrine" and enshrines the three primary kami: Okuninushi (deity of agriculture), Takemikazuchi (god of thunder), and Hikoboshi (ghost that guides lovers to each other during the Obon festival). The shrine complex includes a large hall called Hon-dō, with traditional architecture from various historical periods. Kasamigaya Shri
弁天宮
Shrine · Chiba
Located in the historic city of Richi, Chiba Prefecture, Obenamiya Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in the region. Dedicated to Benben no Okami, a Shinto deity associated with prosperity and good fortune, the shrine has been an important center for worship and community gatherings. The shrine's architecture reflects traditional Japanese design, with a vermilion torii gate and a tiled roof. As a testament to its rich history, Obenamiya Shrine is still celebrated during the annual Obon festival
上常呂神社
Shrine · Hokkaido
Located in Hokkaido,上常呂神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of longevity and good fortune. The shrine's architecture reflects its significance as a sacred site, with traditional Japanese-style wooden buildings and ornate decorations. Visitors can experience the local culture by attending one of the seasonal festivals, such as the Obon Festival or the Star Festival, which are deeply rooted in Shinto traditions.
弁天神社
Shrine · Hokkaido
Located in the heart of Sapporo, Abenobashi Obonmachi's Bensui-tei Shrine is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to Benzaiten, the deity of beauty, music, and poetry. The shrine's architecture reflects the style typical of Hokkaido's Shinto shrines, with a simple yet elegant design that blends seamlessly into its surroundings. Over time, the shrine has played host to numerous festivals and events, including the annual Benzaiten Festival, which celebrates the deity's association with music, dance,
六社神社
Shrine · Shizuoka
Located in the city of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, Sixteen Shrine is a well-known Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of agriculture and prosperity, Hikoboshi. The shrine's name 'Sixteen' refers to the mythological bridge that connects the world of the living with the world of the dead, spanning 16 kilometers. Visitors can walk across the bridge on the 7th day of the 7th month during Obon festivals.
山神社
Shrine · Tokushima
Located in the heart of Tokushima Prefecture, Mount Yari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the mountain. The shrine's architecture reflects its rural location, with traditional wooden buildings and a large torii gate. Visitors can explore the shrine grounds, which include a temple ruins and a sacred spring. The shrine plays an important role in local festivals, particularly during the Obon festival. While not as well-known as other shrines in Japan, Mount Yari Shrine offers a se
香取神社稲荷大明神
Shrine · Saitama
Kokukō-in is a Shinto shrine located in the Ota district of Chūda, Sakata, in the Saitama Prefecture of Japan's Kantō region. Dedicated to the rice goddess Inari Ōkami and Mysterious Illuminations deity (稲荷大明神), it was established in 1602 by the Date family and is famous for its vermilion torii gate. The shrine grounds feature a large garden with several ponds, walking paths, and historic temples. During the Obon holiday, the shrine holds a lantern festival, where thousands of lanterns are
明合神社
Shrine · Shiga
明合神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Omiya, Shiga Prefecture, and is dedicated to the worship of Enma, the god of death and the underworld, as well as the kami of the confluence of the rivers Katsuta and Yodo. The shrine's name '明合神社' reflects its association with the confluence of these two rivers. Visitors can explore the shrine's traditional architecture, including a five-story pagoda, and participate in traditional festivals such as the Obon Festival, which honors the spiri
竹原神社
Shrine · Ibaraki
Tsuchiura Shrine, located in the town of Tsuchiura in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine that has stood for over 1,000 years. The shrine's main deity is Kanayama-no-kami, a kami associated with rice and agriculture. Visitors can explore the shrine's traditional Japanese architecture, including the main hall and torii gate, which were built during the Kamakura period. During the annual Obon festival, lanterns are hung from the trees in the shrine's grounds, creating a beautiful and peaceful a
福満神社
Shrine · Shiga
Fukumanshinsha is a Shinto shrine located in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, dedicated to the god of fertility and prosperity, Fukumane okami. The shrine's architecture reflects the Heian period style, with a main hall constructed from hinoki cypress wood. A large torii gate welcomes visitors and symbolizes the connection between heaven and earth. Locals often visit during the annual Obon festival to honor their ancestors.