Hundreds of people flock to the Byodo-In Temple every year to celebrate Obon, a festive time to pass on ancient traditions and celebrate the loved ones and ancestors who came before them.

This year, Valley of the Temples Memorial Park is honored to host a one-of-a-kind event in celebration of both Obon and the 50th anniversary of the Byodo-In Temple, which was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. As a replica of the 11th-century Phoenix Hall in Uji, Japan, the temple had a major facelift ahead of the 50th celebrations — so don’t miss all the free bonus activities of this two-in-one event:

• Traditional Japanese customs
• Delicious food: Bento and Andagi
• Taiko drumming
• Bon dance
• Historical photo exhibit
• Magical floating lantern ceremony
• Time capsule to be prepared and opened on the temple’s 75th anniversary

Plus, you could be the lucky winner of a chauffeur-driven day tour for four people to explore the beauty of Oahu (valued at up to $1,500).

The Byodo-In Temple was established on June 7,1968, to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants arrival to Hawaii 150 years ago. The Byodo-In Temple is a smaller-scale replica of the over 950-year-old Byodo-In Temple, a United Nations World Heritage Site in Uji, Japan. The Byodo-In Temple is a non-practicing Buddhist temple that welcomes people of all faiths to worship, meditate or simply appreciate its beauty.

Saturday, 8/4 - 4:00-9:00 p.m.

Learn more about Valley of the Temples Memorial Park

Phone: (808) 762-1931