Koboji Shingon Mission Obon 2026

Koboji Shingon Mission was founded in 1947 by Reverend Kakuo Okimura, originally from Yuu-mura, Yamaguchi, Japan. The temple belongs to the Koyasan Shingon sect — one of Japan's oldest esoteric Buddhist traditions, tracing its lineage to Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) — and has held its Obon celebration continuously since those early postwar years.

The evenings center on the Minnyo Kai, Koboji's in-house dance troupe, which performs 27+ dances meticulously choreographed by the late Archbishop Dean Zenei Okimura, each embodying Buddhist symbolism. The repertoire includes the signature Iroha Uta, whose lyrics trace back to Japan's Heian period. Three organized groups take the yagura across both nights. Food booths open at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, the temple holds Hatsu Bon memorial services for families observing a loved one's first Obon before dancing begins.

The food booth lineup is anchored by multi-generational family recipes: a chili rice bowl the Kajiwara family has prepared for 60 years, and a Local Boy Stew Bowl from a recipe of a long-ago Kalihi restaurant by Harold and Verna Mikaru. Cash only is accepted at all booths.