Obon Festival

Many celebrations take place in the month of August. And at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we always have a reason to celebrate. That is why today we are travelling to Japan to commemorate Obon.

Obon or Bon is an annual Japanese Buddhist celebration for commemorating one´s ancestors. It is believed that during the celebration, the ancestors’ spirits return to this world to visit their relatives. It is one of the most important Japanese events.

It has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years. It lasts for three days and its starting date varies within different regions of Japan. In most part of the country Obon takes place in mid August, but in other areas such as Okinawa it is held on mid July.

Obon starts with a traditional Japanese dance called Bon-odori, which welcomes the ancestors´ spirits. People wear a yukata (a summer kimono) while dance to the sound of music and drums.

Most Japanese houses have a Buddhist altar called butsudan, where families place a variety of food offerings like vegetables, fruits and sweets in front of it. Another common rite is hanging Japanese paper lanterns to guide the spirits. The last day of the Obon, people let the lanterns go down the rivers and the sea to travel along the spirits during their return.

At the luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we also have our own rituals. If you visit us this summer, don´t miss our Wishing Fountain Ceremony, which takes place every Saturday at 20:00 h. at the fountain in the Hotel Hall. Make your wishes come true at our Asian paradise in the Mediterranean…