Obon Festival Obon in the late Edo period Also called Bon Observed by Japanese people Type Religious, Cultural Significance Honors the spirits of one's ancestors Date 15 August 15 July (Kantō) 15th day of the 7th lunar month 2018 date August 25 2019 date August 15 Frequency Annual Related to Ghost Festival (in China) Tết Trung Nguyên (in Vietnam) Baekjung (in Korea) Pchum Ben (in Cambodia) Boun Khao Padap Din (in Laos) Mataka dānēs (in Sri Lanka) Sat Thai (in Thailand)