For over 500 years, Obon has served as Japan’s ultimate family reunion, where everyone—not just the living—gets an invite. The festival lasts for three days, but its start date varies within different regions of Japan thanks to calendar chaos post-Meiji era.

A star of the festivities is the Bon Odori, or "Bon dance," a vibrant folk dance that takes different forms across the country like Hokkaidō’s robust "Sōran Bushi," an energetic and powerful performance, and Gifu's all-night dance marathon, "Gujo Odori."

As for food, cucumbers are crafted into horses and eggplants into cows, dubbed shōryō uma and ushi uma. These aren't just any veggie sculptures - they're your ancestors' ride-sharing service from the spirit world back to your home.