Tonight a small shrine near our apartment puts on its Bon Festival. Obon is the Japanese Buddhist tradition which honors the spirits of one’s ancestors.
Quite a few bikes parked outside the normally quite shrine.
Food stalls set up in the small courtyard of the shrine give off that festival feel.
Taiko drummers play atop a tall platform while people in kimono dance in a circle. This is the Bon Odori, the Bon Dance, which can continue well into the night. The dance is a core part of Obon, and expresses appreciation for the sacrifices of those who came before us.