Line Dancing at the West L.A. Buddhist Temple Obon Festival

For a ceremony that honors one’s departed ancestors, the Obon festivals that I have seen tend to be pretty lively affairs. In Los Angeles, the various Buddhist temples take turns hosting the festival, and typically church members travel from one Obon celebration to another wearing happi coats identifying their congregation.

In the above photo, the red happi coat worn by the figure at the far left identifies him as belonging to the West L.A. Buddhist Temple. The figure in the center background wearing a green happi coat is from the San Fernando Valley Hongwanji. On Sunday, there were dancers from Gardena, Venice, Senshin, Nishin, and others that I could not identify.

Women dancing at the festival frequently wear elegant kimonos, though there is no strict dress code. In general, the atmosphere is non-judgmental.

This year, the festival was well attended. There were booths offering Japanese and American food, as well as games offering prizes.

The real reason that I like to attend is the udon soup cooked by the temple’s men’s club. It is top quality stuff, better than the udon offered by by any Japanese restaurant I have ever visited. There is a nice piece of pork in the soup with the usual thick noodles, chopped green onions, and sliced fish cake; and the broth is top notch. It only cost $5.00. I seriously considered ordering a second bowl, but I held back. On the counter was the Japanese chile powder (Shichimi Togarashi) which I liberally sprinkle on my soup.

Bowl of Udon and Shichimi Togarashi (2015)

Martine and I have been attending the Obon festival at the West L.A. Buddhist Temple for over 30 years—during which the udon soup never failed to satisfy my culinary longings.