Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo announced Wednesday (June 25) that the regular Saturday and Sunday schedule of Obon event will be reduced to one day only, Sunday, July 13, due to precaution for the safety of temple members and attendees of the Obon event.
Now Nishi Obon 2025 is scheduled as following:
- One day only: Sunday, July 13, 12 noon – 6:00 p.m.
- Food will be sold in the Kaikan building from noon until sold out
- Dining will be available in the Kaikan building, plus entertainment by Taiko Ichiza and ABAsonics will be presented in the Kaikan building
- Obon dancing will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the West Lot where odori usually occurs
- Entrance to the Obon event is available at only the Vignes Street gate
- Limited parking available in the Temple’s North Lot – entrance on Vignes Street
The email from Nishi Hongwanji Temple tells:
As you know there have been protest demonstrations occurring in DTLA and Little Tokyo just a few blocks from Nishi, the epicenter being the Federal Building. While the activity was going on in the last few weeks, the protesters usually stayed on Alameda and more west of us towards City Hall and other areas close to the Civic Center.
So far we have been spared the vandalism that happened in Little Tokyo, and crowds of people walking on the streets around the Betsuin (temple) were minimal.
This is all precautionary and we have no knowledge of an organized protest event in our area on our obon weekend (July 12-13). However, our Obon Committee decided that out of an abundance of caution and concern for the safety of our members and attendees, we will have the obon for one day only, Sunday, July 13, from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m.
