by Jen Ruhl
Many of you might be wondering about Obon at this time of year. Many teachers are absent from school (not only because of the summer heat!) and it's more expensive to travel. It's all because of Obon, which is one time of year when many Japanese people visit the graves of their ancestors, usually in their hometowns.
Please visit this link at japan-guide.com for an explanation of Obon. This website is incredibly useful for learning the background of many things related to Japanese society and culture!
So, if you're planning to travel in Japan, keep in mind that Obon season is one of the busiest and most expensive. The others are New Year and Golden Week (in May). However, Obon might be a good time to visit a local Buddhist temple to see how Japanese people pay their respects to their ancestors! (Be sensitive when taking photos!)