Festival of the Dead in Japan

• Japan does not celebrate a western-style Halloween. While most people there know a little about Halloween in the United States, the costumes, parties, and trick-or-treating; very few know exactly when or how it's celebrated

Obon FestivalThe Japanese celebrate the "Obon Festival" (also known as "Matsuri" or "Urabon" and pronounced, "oh bone.) which is similar to Halloween festivities in that it is dedicated to the spirits of ancestors. Special foods are prepared and bright red lanterns are hung everywhere. Candles are lit and placed into lanterns which are then set afloat on rivers and seas. During the "Obon Festival," a fire is lit every night in order to show the ancestors where their families might be found. "Obon" is one of the two main occasions during the Japanese year when the dead are believed to return to their birthplaces. The "ObonFestival" takes place during July or August.

Halloween in Japan

• Although Halloween wasn't celebrated in Japan until recent years, it's becoming popular year after year. Many stores sell colourfulHalloween decorations, costumes, and sweets.

• Halloween arrived only recently in Japan, mainly in the context of American pop culture. Western-style Halloween decorations such as jack-o'-lanterns can be seen in many locations, and places such as Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan put on special Halloween events

The atmosphere was decorated with cool Mickey/Disney related pumpkins and ghosts which lit up and looked spooky.

Customs,traditions and games

ROLE PLAYING Dressing up

TRADITIONS

• Also, many Japanese cities/towns, shopping malls, and theme parks hold fun Halloween events in September and October. Halloween parades, costume parties, and trick-or-treat events are often observed in fall. People in Japan enjoy ghost storytelling and haunted attractions more during the summer.