I`ve already been given a 5-day weekend without having even worked 5 days! August 12th to 15th mark the Obon holiday. Obon (`O` is just a modifier showing that it is honored, so you could just call the holiday Bon) is a Japanese Buddhist holiday during which people honor their ancestors. Next to New Years it is probably the busiest time for travel in Japan, as most people will return home to clean grave sites and prepare meals for the dead to eat. At the end of the celebrations, lanterns are floated down the river with white lanterns symbolizing people that died in the past year. Hopefully I`ll figure out which river people are going to be using and be able to snap some pictures as well.
[I managed to snap this picture of Tokyo Tower last week from the highway as we left our hotel for the airport]
5 comments:
wouldn't it be rude if you took pics during while they honor the dead?
or is it okay since you are a gaijin?s
No. They also have dancing and festivals going on at the same time. Just because they are honoring the dead doesn't mean it is a sad event.
5 days off with nothing to do? You get paid for that?
That's pretty cool- how's the weather over there?
You're teaching English, right?
Weather is extremely hot and humid, but occasionally you do catch a breeze or two.
Yes, I am teaching english.
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