The Zenshuji sect of the Soto sect will hold its 66th annual Obon Carnival on July 20th and 21st from 12pm to 7pm at 123 South Hewitt Street (Little Tokyo), Los Angeles, CA 90012. Obon memorial services will be held on Saturday and Sunday at 1:30pm. (Image courtesy of Cultural News For Sharing Japanese Heritage)
Two Obon festivals in Downtown Los Angeles will get bar bunkers out of town and into the family this July. Zenshuji Obon on July 20th and 21st and Tohoganji Obon on July 27th and 28th are sure to provide Angelenos with plenty of food, music, positive vibes and activities in the middle of summer.
It’s bound to be hot and busy, and parking is always an issue, so if you don’t want to pay the premium or walk a fair distance from your parked car to the event, I recommend the Metro Red Line.
The Zenshuji School of the Soto Zen sect will hold its 66th annual Obon Carnival on July 20th and 21st from 12pm to 7pm at 123 South Hewitt Street in Little Tokyo. Obon ceremonies will take place on Saturday and Sunday at 1:30pm. Cultural activities will include Bon Odori and tea ceremonies. Food and retail booths will include barbecued chicken and beef, tamales, chirashi sushi, Okinawan dumplings, wontons, somen noodles, corn, ohagi, shaved ice, pickled plums and more, white elephants, crafts and more. Entertainment will include taiko drumming, folk dancing and music, Shorinji Kempo, and raffles and prizes. Higashi Honganji Temple in Little Tokyo will hold its Bon Festival on July 27th and 28th from 3pm to 9pm at 505 East Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (Image courtesy of Cultural News for Sharing Japanese Heritage)
Higashi Honganji Temple in Little Tokyo will host a Bon Odori dance at 505 East Third Street in Downtown Los Angeles from 3pm to 9pm on July 27th and 28th. Bon Odori practice will take place in the lead up to the festival on Wednesdays, July 10th and 17th, from 7:30pm to 9pm. Organizers ask participants to bring kachi kachi (castanets), tenugui (towels) and uchiwa (circular folding fans).
Summer is the perfect time to experience the richness of Los Angeles and explore your own and others’ cultural heritage and time-honored traditions. We find that the numerous summer festivals across the Southland are a wonderful experience no matter where you attend, from the Valley to the South Bay. For bar bunkers, it’s a great way to get out of the city.
Editor’s Note: There’s always a lot going on in Burbank, but myBurbank’s “Get Out Of Town!” features some of our favorite activities and events outside of town. The Soto Zen sect will host its 66th annual Obon Carnival on July 20th and 21st from 12pm to 7pm at 123 South Hewitt Street (Little Tokyo), Los Angeles, CA 90012. Obon services will be held on Saturday and Sunday at 1:30pm. (Image courtesy of Cultural News For Sharing Japanese Heritage)
