The Obon season will soon be upon us. As the saying goes, "It's like Obon and New Year's have come together," Obon, along with New Year's, is one of the most important customs for the Japanese people. Obon is more accurately called "Urabon."
During Obon, decorations are put up and offerings are made.
The offerings are for the hungry ghosts who have fallen into the realm of hungry ghosts and are subject to various hardships, and the sutras recited at the time are for offering prayers to the hungry ghosts. The merit of offering prayers to the hungry ghosts is used to help with the memorial service for one's ancestors and other people who are related to oneself.
So, when and how do you generally decorate for Obon?
Although there are some differences depending on the region, Bon decorations are usually put up on the morning of the 13th. During the Shinbon festival, decorations are put up earlier, between the 1st and 7th. The place where the Bon decorations are put up is called the Shoryoda-na (shrine shelf). Usually, they are prepared informally in front of the Buddhist altar, but during the Shinbon festival, the Buddhist altar is not used and the decorations are set up in the living room.
For the spirit shelf, pillars are erected on all four sides or on the front of the shelf using sawdust or green bamboo, the tops of which are tied with straw rope or sawdust, and ground cherries, wakame seaweed, somen noodles, etc. are hung from these. Tatami mats or white cloth are placed on top of the shelf, and then wild rice is laid on top of that. On top of that, wild rice plants are placed. On the completed spirit shelf, Buddhist altar items such as memorial tablets, candles, incense, and bells are placed, and fresh flowers, sweets, and seasonal fruits and vegetables are offered.
The horses and cows that our ancestors use to travel to and from work can be made from eggplants or cucumbers with four disposable chopsticks attached. Also prepare mizu-ko (diced eggplant and cucumber mixed with rice and placed on a lotus or taro leaf) and akamizu (a bowl filled with clean water). On top of the akamizu bowl, place a piece of lythrum salicaria wrapped in washi paper and tied with straw.
Once you're ready, light the mukaebi (welcoming fire) to welcome your ancestors. On the evening of the 13th (or the evening of the 12th), burn sawdust in front of the grave and use the fire to light the lantern. Carry the lantern home, being careful not to let the fire go out. If you're far away, put out the fire as if it were still burning, and then return home with your ancestors.
Once you have welcomed your ancestors into your home, you can recite sutras and hold a memorial service. This can be done at the cemetery or main hall, not at home.
After spending Obon with your ancestors, you should light a bonfire to see them off to paradise. Light the bonfire again in front of the cemetery on the 15th or 16th.
During Obon, our ancestors return to this world and spend time with us. We should offer our ancestors vegetables, fruits, three meals a day, tea, and other things, showing them hospitality just as we would to living people.
English 
Japanese