General Info
The 2026 Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon Festival will be held on July 18-19 from 3PM to 9PM. We invite you all to join us in person for some delicious food, fun games, our opportunity drawing, silent auction, and of course Bon Odori (dancing), which will run from 7:00PM-8:30PM both days.
We are returning to our traditional food offerings of chicken teriyaki, fried wonton, andagi (Okinawa dango), hot dogs, chili, and shave ice.
Our Obon Festival is open to the public.
Obon Sponsors
Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple (VHBT) gratefully thanks and acknowledges SPONSORS of our 2026 Obon Commemoration. To become an Obon sponsor, please visit https://givebutter.com/VHBTObonSponsor26 or complete the form HERE. Thank you to our Sangha and community for your generous support!.
- n Memory of Dino & Colleen Belli
- In Memory of George Ta-Min & Tsui Lin Chan Ching
- In Memory of Minoru & Betty M Hisashima
- In Memory of Butch & Reva Hisashima & Mittens Motobo
- In Memory of Chikao & Mary Kujubu
- In Memory of Reverend Sentoku Sangoro & Mrs. Emily Hideko Uyeda Mayeda
- In Honor of Danny Nakagiri (Mughal Family)
- In Honor of Danny Nakagiri (Tom Nakagiri)
- In Memory of Frank & Yayeko Nishina
- In Memory of Ruth Sachiko Tokirio
- Roger Brown
- Gary Kawaguchi
- Emily Ching Mayeda & Grant Sunoo & Family
- Kenyon Ching Mayeda & I-Wen Lai & Family
- Angel Maid Bakery
- U.S. Bank
- Venice Japanese Community Center
Odori Dancing
Bon Odori practices start on Wednesday, July 1, at 7:00 PM. Additional dates are Fri July 3, Mon July 6, Wed July 8, Mon July 13.
We are bringing back many of our favorites so it is easier to pick up the moves again:
So, start stretching and get ready to dance and come to practice so you can get your popsicle too!
Opportunity Drawing
Our Opportunity Drawing offers the chance to win the Grand Prize of $1000 cash, 2nd prize of $500, and 3rd prize of an iPad! In addition, through the generosity of local merchants and Temple members, a number of other prizes will be available.
The Drawing will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 8:00PM. Winners need not be present and will be notified by e-mail or phone.
Email us at obon@vhbt.org or call us at (310) 391-4351 for more information.
Silent Auction
Our 12th annual silent auction is now live for taking bids at www.32auctions.com/vhbtobon2026
Featured items include handmade and household items, restaurant gift cards, Gift Baskets and much more.
You may bid online and you may also bid in person where you can see some of the items yourself.
But why wait? The more bidding that happens, the more exciting the auction is. Online bidding is easy, you just need to sign up for a 32auctions account (free)- they will walk you through it. If you have an account from last time, you may use the same one.
Questions? Contact Aya Masada at (310) 418-1453 or Tommy Nakagiri at (310) 892-4686.