Photos: Hundreds gather for the annual Obon festival in San Jose
Hundreds of community members participate in the traditional Odori dancing on the first day of the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin’s Obon festival in San Jose on Saturday. The Obon festival is an annual traditional “to remember and honor those who have provided us with a strong and lasting foundation” according the church’s website. The community, many dressed for the occasion in kimonos and other Japanese attire, gathered to enjoy games, music, performances, various Japanese food, beer and sake.
The event continues on Sunday from 12 to 9 pm on 5th Street between Taylor and Jackson Streets. A free shuttle service from the Santa Clara County lot at North First and Hedding starts at 11:00 am and continues to the end of the festival.
Members of the community take part in the Odori dancing during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Members of the community take part in the Odori dancing during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) A festivalgoer has a good time along with hundreds of members of the community who take part in the Odori dancing during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Members of the community take part in the Odori dancing during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Members of the community take part in the Odori dancing during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Members of the community take part in the Odori dancing during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Members of the community take part in the Odori dancing during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Rinban Gerald Sakamoto leads gassho during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) A group of women in kimonos pose for a group photo before taking part in the Odori dancing during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Alice Oshiro with her daughters, Desirae, 7, left, and Payton,3, of Fremont, dressed in kimonos for the occasion, attend the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Members of the community take part in the Odori dancing during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) The San Jose Chidori band performs as members of the community take part in the Odori dancing during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) A festival goer takes a look at a vendor’s origami cranes, which are symbols of good luck, longevity, and happiness, during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Bandanas decorate a booth during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Members of the community make tempura during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Members of the community eat Japanese food during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Members of the community take part in the Odori dancing during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Names of ancestors are attached to lanterns that light up the street during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Names of ancestors are attached to lanterns that decorate the street during the Obon festival at the San Jose Buddhist Church BeThe Obon festival is an annual traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates community. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
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