San Jose’s colourful annual Obon Competition drew tons of of individuals to Japantown this weekend.
The pageant is the biggest of its type in the USA and is sponsored by the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin.
The Obon pageant is an annual conventional “to remember and honor those who have provided us with a strong and lasting foundation,” in line with the church’s web site. Neighborhood members, many dressed for the event in kimonos and different Japanese apparel, gathered to get pleasure from video games, music, performances, and a sampling of Japanese meals, beer and sake.
Rinban Gerald Sakamoto, the pinnacle minister of the church which organizes the occasion, is main it for the final time as he’s retiring after 39 years.
The pageant’s important attraction is the normal Bon Odori, during which tons of of individuals carry out a neighborhood dance. The dance opens and closes with gassho, a prayer to the Buddha, by the pinnacle minister.
San Jose’s Japantown is one in every of solely three left in the USA, making the pageant and its traditions that rather more important.
The Bon Odori dance will start at 6 p.m. Sunday evening when you’re all for attending.
Members of the neighborhood participate within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Members of the neighborhood participate within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon pageant is an annual conventional Japanese pageant that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates neighborhood. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Rinban Gerald Sakamoto leads gassho throughout the Obon pageant on 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. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Names of ancestors are connected to lanterns that beautify the road throughout the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Members of the neighborhood eat Japanese meals throughout the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
A pageant goer takes a have a look at a vendor’s origami cranes, that are symbols of excellent luck, longevity and happiness, throughout the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Members of the neighborhood participate within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
A festivalgoer takes half within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Members of the neighborhood participate within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
A festivalgoer takes half within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Bandanas beautify a sales space throughout the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Members of the neighborhood participate within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Members of the neighborhood participate within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Alice Oshiro together with her daughters, Desirae, 7, left, and Payton,3, of Fremont, wearing kimonos for the event, attend the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Members of the neighborhood make tempura throughout the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Names of ancestors are connected to lanterns that gentle up the road throughout the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon pageant is an annual conventional Japanese pageant that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates neighborhood. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
A bunch of ladies in kimonos pose for a gaggle photograph earlier than collaborating within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon pageant is an annual conventional Japanese pageant that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates neighborhood. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Members of the neighborhood participate within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
The San Jose Chidori band performs as members of the neighborhood participate within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon pageant on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Initially Printed: July 13, 2025 at 12:53 PM PDT
