It is “Obon”- Festival time in Japan! Obon is a festival to honour the spirits of the ancestors, which are said to be coming back to earth at this time. So it is no wonder that many Japanese go to a shrine and dress in Yukatas. Of course, in Fukuoka prefecture there are also a lot of festivals held in parks or shrines.
One big festival is the so-called “Obon Mitama Festival” which is held every year in front of the Gokoku Shrine in Fukuoka city. Many families go to the shrine and pray for their deceased. Moreover, the festival is famous for its around 6000 lanterns installed in front of the shrine. One can buy a lantern in advance and draw pictures on it. The lanterns are a symbol of the worship of the deceased and sometimes also of the fallen soldiers.
Besides this, there is also a stage where performances take place, a flew market and a night market with many stalls selling food and drinks.
This year’s Obon Mitama Festival is from August 13th till August 16th. So you still have a chance to enjoy Obon in Fukuoka.
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