Saturday, August 2nd, 2025
4-8pm on Fawcett St.
Dance Practice
July 15th and 17th 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 pm: Food, beer garden and other booths open
4:30 pm: Obon service for the public to attend inside our temple
5:00 pm: Dancing and program will occur in front of our temple on Fawcett Avenue up from UW Tacoma.
In addition, the event include performances by our temple’s Fuji Taiko, Tacoma Community College Exchange students, Seattle Matsuri and new this year, Minyo Kai, a group of musicians and singers will perform 2 obon songs as we dance.
Dance Line-Up:
MIKOKORO ONDO
MANMARU ONDO (1 uchiwa)
SHIAWASE SAMBA
Break
ISSON IPPIN ONDO (2 castas)
SHAMISEN ELECTRIC SLIDE (tenugui/Japanese towel)
Break: TCC Exchange Students performance
SORAN BUSHI
Intermission: Seattle Matsuri Taiko and Tacoma Fuji Taiko
LANTERN SONG
HOKKAI BON BUSHI (2 folding fans) (Minyo Kai performance)
TANKO BUSHI (Minyo Kai performance)
Break
OYAMA ONDO
DAI HIROSHIMA ONDO
Break
HANABI (blinky rings)
GOSHU ONDO
8:00 pm: Memorial candle observance service in our lovely 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
Beer Garden
General Food Concessions in our lower Social Hall (entrance North Side only)
Dancing
Tacoma Buddhist Temple serves a wide variety of food at Obon. From Teriyaki bowls to Shaved Ice. You are welcome to bring your own food as well!
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. Tacoma BT provides 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 atendees will wear Yukata kimonos (cotton) and happi coats, but it is never mandatory.
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 15th and 17th 7-8:30PM in the Temple Social Hall (enter on the side gate)
Food
Tacoma Buddhist Temple serves a wide variety of food at Obon. From Teriyaki bowls, Somen to Shave Ice. You are welcome to bring your own food as well!
While we try to accommodate for dietary restrictions, we are not a gluten-free kitchen and cannot ensure that cross contamination will never occur.
Map
Dancing and Taiko performances will occur on Fawcett St.
Open seating spaces are available across the temple and along the sidewalks.
Food, Beer Garden and Candlelight Memorial are all down stairs on either side of the Temple.
