Question 1

True or false: During Obon, it's common to leave food offerings like fruits and vegetables at family altars.

Accepted Answer

True. Offerings such as rice, fruits, and vegetables are placed at butsudan (family altars) or graves to feed visiting spirits.

Question 2

True or false: Lanterns are often floated on rivers or seas during Obon to guide spirits back to the other world.

Accepted Answer

True. Floating lanterns (toro nagashi) are released to guide ancestral spirits back after their visit, a common Obon tradition.

Question 3

True or false: The Bon Odori dance is meant to scare away evil spirits during the Obon festival.

Accepted Answer

False. Bon Odori is a welcoming dance for ancestors' spirits, not a scare tactic; it expresses gratitude and joy.

Question 4

True or false: Obon is a Japanese Buddhist festival that honors the spirits of ancestors.

Accepted Answer

True. Obon is indeed a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor deceased ancestors, featuring dances and lanterns to guide their spirits.

Question 5

True or false: Some Obon celebrations in Japan include bonfires shaped like the character for 'big' to guide spirits.

Accepted Answer

True. The Gozan no Okuribi festival in Kyoto lights giant bonfires in the shape of Chinese characters, like '大' (big), to send off spirits.

Question 6

True or false: Obon is celebrated on the exact same dates throughout Japan every year.

Accepted Answer

False. Dates vary by region: some follow the solar calendar (July 15), others the lunar calendar (August 15), or the old lunar calendar.

Question 7

True or false: Obon is a national public holiday in Japan, with most businesses closed.

Accepted Answer

False. Obon is not an official national holiday, but many businesses close voluntarily for a few days, especially in August.

Question 8

True or false: The Obon festival originated in China and was later adopted by Japan in the 7th century.

Accepted Answer

False. Obon originated from the Indian Buddhist Ullambana Sutra, arriving in Japan via China, but its core is Buddhist, not Chinese.

Obon Trivia Questions