Bon Odori Experience | 2016

by - October 03, 2016




The Japanese Summer Festival: Bon Odori 2016 that was held last August 12-13 at Sugbu Grounds, South Road Properties (SRP), Cebu City, Philippines was a huge success with around 22,000 attendees, imagine the ocean of people! For only 20.00 pesos, it is more than worthy of a night of awesome cultural experience.

It’s my first time to attend Bon Odori and for a girl who’s been in love with Japan, attending a festival is a must right?



I came with my kawaii friends Vanessa and Ate Jane.  The weather was so fine at that night too. It was really an event to remember for me, surrounded by things I dreamed about, authentic Japanese food, merchandise, cosplay and like-minded people! By the way, I went on a solo adventure on Day 1, it was supposed to be just surveying the area and directions because I’m new in Cebu, I’m afraid I might get lost. I ended up buying lots of stuff on Day 1.






I wasn’t able to take a lot of pictures because I’m very overwhelmed with the festive the environment is. Please bear with my photos.

There are a lot of booths and fun activities that the festival prepared for festival goers.










Bon Odori (盆踊り), meaning simply Bon dance is a style of dancing performed during Obon. Originally a Nenbutsu folk dance to welcome the spirits of the dead, the style of celebration varies in many aspects from region to region. | salamat google

Philippines counterpart is the Araw ng mga Patay or Undas, the difference is we don’t offer a dance, we offer foods on our altars and light up candles outside our houses and visit their graves.

It’s quite similar to our tradition in the Philippines since it is believed that each year during obon or Bon festival the ancestors’ spirits returns to this world in order to visit their relatives. Creepy but we also believe that right every November 2.

So much for the background of the festival…


My favorite part will always be the fireworks display. I just love it, whatever event it is. That magical feeling watching the fireworks lit up the sky, isn’t it a bit romantic? crush, doko? |

It was one hell of a tiring event, there are few vehicles from the event area so we walked all the way to Mambaling. Good thing the view of the city lights and the sea are a bit relaxing.
The only thing I regret was not wearing a Yukata. It’s my dream to wear a Yukata while attending a Japanese festival but well, next time perhaps? Right? Soon. Puhon.



Are you also a fan of Japanese Culture and experience a Japanese festival? comment down your experience below!

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