Obon Shoro Dana

Obon altar goods from a DIY shop

Obon is a Buddhist tradition that originated in India.

Although most regions in Japan observe Obon in August, it is held in July in Tokyo (and I believe in some parts of Kyoto and Hakata, Kyushu, as well).

These days, you can even find items for a shōrōdana (a small altar set up during Obon to welcome ancestral spirits) at local home improvement stores.

Our small family altar – everyday setup

This compact altar belonged to my father and now sits quietly on top of a bookshelf in our home.

Ever since it moved from my father’s study into the living room, a growing number of unusual items have found their way onto this little altar—not only playful oddities, but also things that reflect our family’s little quirks and memories.

At the center sits a small figure of Hōnen Shōnin（Hōnen Shōnin is known for introducing a gentle and accessible form of Buddhism to people from all walks of life.）, and on either side, you’ll find an eclectic mix:a gacha-capsule figure of Anubis, the Egyptian god of the dead, and a tiny praying elephant statue.Of course, we also have the proper ihai (memorial tablets) for my grandparents and father.

My daughter’s artwork also found a home here—her nine-tailed fox sculpture and a few abstract stone pieces she made in her school art class.They may not be traditional, but somehow, they feel right at home on this altar.

Small family altar decorated for Obon

With hōzuki lanterns and tiny paper chochin, this small altar is ready to welcome the spirits for Obon.

Main family altar during Obon

The larger family altar, prepared with seasonal offerings and decorations to honor our ancestors.　They’re a bit hidden in the photo, but on the altar there’s a lotus leaf holding a cucumber horse and an eggplant cow—traditional symbols meant to help ancestral spirits travel between worlds during Obon.

On the first day of Obon, we cook somen noodles and offer them at the family altar.

A small bowl of sōmen, placed beside a basket of decorative fruits—both part of our seasonal Obon offerings.

On the second day, we place small cubes of eggplant along with some uncooked rice on the altar.

On the third day, we offer mackerel, a traditional fish often used in Obon rituals.

Of course, these offerings can vary depending on the region or family traditions.

To start Obon, we light special fires called mukaebi (welcome fires) to guide the spirits of our ancestors back home with the smoke.

At the end of Obon, we light okuribi (farewell fires), which help the spirits return to the other world by following the smoke.

Obon Fire: Welcoming and Farewell Rituals

Nat