Ekoji Buddhist Temple Annual Summer Obon Festival, go join them for the ONLY Obon Festival in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area for over 40 years! 

Families love to get together in the summer. In Japan, a traditional summer celebration called Obon is a time to express gratitude to loved ones who have passed on before us and to reflect on the influences they have had on our lives.

At the Ekoji Buddhist Temple in Fairfax Station, Virginia, they welcome families from every background to experience the festive traditions of Japanese folk dancing, Japanese drumming or taiko, and lighting a commemorative candle in their meditative garden to honor your ancesetors. This year, they celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Obon Festival held at Ekoji. 

Obon is a cultural expereince, featuring experiences such as Japanese folk dancing, and taiko performances by three groups this year, Nen Daiko (taiko ensamble of Ekoji Buddhist Temple), Dounen Daiko (Ekoji's youth taiko ensemble), and Miyako Taiko (taiko performance group from the Mark H. Rooney Taiko School). Festivities continue with Hawaiian music by the Aloha Boys, great Japanese inspired food, specialty vendors and local artists, temple tours, festival games for all ages (to include this year, a nature-inspired mini-golf course), and kids' activities. The evening ends with a candlelight memorial, in the Japanese garden, honoring the memories of one's ancestors. Everyone is welcome to light a candle. It's a perfect summer evening filled with unforgettable moments. 

There are plenty of great tastes to sample including grilled chicken, teriyaki vegetable stir fry, spam musubi, sweet butter mochi, specialty tea drinks, and shave ice. And for dessert, don't forget to stop by the International Dessert Hall for a sampling of sweets from all over the world, a celebration of Ekoji's diverse sangha. 

The festival is from 3:00pm-9:00pm rain or shine, at the Ekoji Buddhist Temple. Admission is free, some activities have a fee.