Saturday, August 1st, 2026
4-8pm on Fawcett St.

Dance Practice
July 14th and 16th 7-8:30pm in Temple Social Hall

We can't wait to welcome everyone back this Summer for our Bon Odori Festival!

Whether it is your first time attending or your 20th, we hope to see you all.

Obon is also known as Kangi-e or "Gathering of Joy” and is a major festival and Jodo Shinshu memorial service to honor ancestors and all those who have passed away.

Everyone is welcome to dance, enjoy the food and just watch the dancing and taiko performances.

The lawn facing the Temple and grass near sidewalks are available for seating (bring your own chairs and blankets!). Additional seating will be provided in front of the Temple.

All attendees are encouraged to “just dance" as we remember those who have passed on and enjoy the present moment together.

Schedule

4:00 p.m. Welcome, Land Acknowledgement, Concessions, Booths and Beer Garden Open

4:30 p.m. Opening Service in the Temple Hondo

5:00 p.m. Performance by Tacoma Buddhist Temple Fuji Taiko

5:15 p.m. Kick off to Dancing

MIKOKORO ONDO
MANMARU ONDO (1 uchiwa)
DAI HIROSHIMA ONDO
TCC Exchange Students, Soran performance
SHIAWASE SAMBA
LANTERN SONG
ISSON IPPIN ONDO (2 castas)

INTERMISSION Seattle Matsuri Taiko and Tacoma Fuji Taiko

OYAMA ONDO
ATARASHII KAZE (new hand dance)
HIROSHIMA ONDO
SORAN BUSHI (Minyo Kai live performance)
HOKKAI BON BUSHI (Minyo Kai live performance. 2 sensu/folding fans)
TANKO BUSHI (Minyo Kai live performance)
HANABI (blinky rings)
GOSHU ONDO

8:00 p.m. Memorial candle observance in the Temple Garden

Event Booths & Concessions

Kori (Shave Ice)
Young Buddhist Association t-shirt sales
Japanese Goods - kimonos, yukata and accessories
Tacoma Buddhist Temple Info table
Memorial candles - $10 each
Koguma Pre-School
King's Books
Puyallup Valley Japanese American Citizens League
Tacoma Buddhist Temple Kids Corner
Tsuru for Solidarity
Beer Garden
General Food Concessions in our lower Social Hall (entrance North Side only)

Dancing

Why Dance?

There is one famous Bon Odori in Japan which is called Awa Odori. There is a phrase which is repeated in a song for Awa Odori. “You’re a fool (ahō) if you dance, and a fool (ahō) if you don’t dance. If you’re going to be a fool (ahō) anyway, you might as well dance.

new_dance

New Dance!

This year, our temple is introducing Atarashii Kaze, a new hand dance with the music provided by Rev. David Fujimoto from Mo’ili’ili Hongwanji in Hawaii. This dance is upbeat and is about embracing change and moving forward in life. The "new wind" symbolizes fresh beginnings, hope, and courage.

Video Demonstrations

An example of the dance is here and an another example by Tacoma Temple instructors is here. Note the second hand move is a quick wave as the instructor on the right demonstrates in the first 2 minutes of the second video.

We look forward to having everyone try this fun dance!

What should I bring?

You are not required to bring anything to dance! While some dances use hand movements, some include props like fans, tenugui and castanets - which would be nice to have. Our temple will provide uchiwa fans for attendees to borrow.

What should I wear?

Please wear anything you're comfortable in! Be mindful of the summer weather by bringing a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Many attendees will wear yukata (cotton), kimono and happi coats. At our Japanese Goods booth, please stop by to select from yukata, obi, happi coats and more if you'd like to pick up something the day of!

Can I dance if I don't know the moves?

Absolutely! All attendees are encouraged to “just dance" as we remember those who have passed on and enjoy the present moment together.

Instructors will dance in an inner circle to help showcase dance moves.

If you would like to practice these dances beforehand, you are welcome to attend our dance practices:

July 14th and 16th 7-8:30PM in the Temple Social Hall (enter on the side gate)

Food

Menu PDF

Tacoma Buddhist Temple serves a wide variety of food at Obon. From teriyaki bowls, somen to shave ice. New this year is a Strawberry Mochi Trifle. Handmade daifuku mochi slices layered in frozen whipped topping and fresh strawberries. Yum!

While we try to accommodate dietary restrictions, we are not a gluten-free kitchen and cannot ensure that cross contamination will never occur.