A summer prayer in Obama, colored by makeup Jizo and children’s chants
Jizo Bon
The 2026 edition of Jizo Bon has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/23Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year, August 23 / Every year
- Location
- Various parts of Obama City, including the Nishizu district
- Area
- Fukui Prefecture・Obama City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 50 min–3 h 20 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Obama City’s Jizo Bon is a summer tradition in which children decorate makeup Jizo statues and invite local people to pay their respects to the sound of bells and drums. It is held in various parts of the city, especially in the Nishizu district.
About Jizo Bon
Jizo Bon is a traditional event in Obama City where children take center stage, honor the local Jizo statues, and pray for health and safety.
It is held in various parts of the city, including the Nishizu district, where children invite people to pay their respects by ringing bells and beating drums.
The custom of washing the Jizo statues in the sea, painting them in vivid colors, and enshrining them in halls or at altars—known as “makeup Jizo”—is also distinctive to this area.
Source: 地蔵盆 | 【小浜市公式】御食国若狭おばま観光サイト ｜ まるっとおばま / 小浜市西津の地蔵盆 | 【小浜市公式】御食国若狭おばま観光サイト ｜ まるっとおばま
Festival highlights
Highlights include the brightly painted Jizo statues, touched up by the children, and the halls decorated in each district.
Children chant “maittenno” to the beat of bells and drums, their voices ringing out as they invite visitors to pay their respects.
In the Nishizu district, children also compete over the five-colored flags using water guns and water balloons. The sight of them competing while getting soaked is a distinctive feature.
Source: まいってんのー 子ら参拝促す 小浜で地蔵盆 | FUKUI若狭ONEweb 福井「若狭路」の観光サイト
A summer prayer in Obama, colored by makeup Jizo and children’s chants
What to expect
In preparation for Jizo Bon, children wash the Jizo statues, touch up their painted faces, and prepare aprons and five-colored flags.
The festivities begin in the morning with children’s voices, bells, and drums. At the halls and altars in each district, children repeat chants to the accompaniment of bells and drums.
When visitors make offerings, the children thank them with drums and bells.
How to take part
You can enjoy watching the event and paying your respects by visiting a district hall or altar.
It is customary for passersby to make offerings, and the children respond to visitors with chants and drums.
No information is provided on whether general visitors may take part in activities led by children, such as preparing the makeup Jizo statues or competing over the five-colored flags.
Visitors go to halls and altars in areas such as the Nishizu district to pay their respects to the Jizo statues.
As it is customary to make an offering, bringing some small change will make it easier to pay your respects.
Please check with each district for information on whether visitors may join in the children’s preparations or the competition over the five-colored flags.
Location and access
- Venue and address
The event takes place at halls and altars throughout the city, including those in the Nishizu district of Obama City.
- By car
About 15 minutes by car from JR Obama Station.
Address Nishizu district, Obama City, Fukui Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 Event Information (the listed dates have passed)
for Jizo in Obama City is held every year on August 23.
In 2026, it was held in Obama City on August 23, with children arranging the decorated Jizo statues on an altar and inviting people to pray with bells, drums, and chant-like calls.
As the 2026 event dates have passed, the dates for the next event will need to be confirmed later.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Fukui Prefecture / Obama City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
When visiting a hall or altar, please respect this cherished local tradition and watch without obstructing people who are paying their respects.
As it is customary to make an offering, bringing some small change is convenient.
You may get wet in areas where children compete over the five-colored flags using water guns and water balloons.
Nearby attractions
山川登美子記念館
福井県小浜市にある文学館
御食国若狭おばま食文化館
福井県小浜市にある博物館
福井県立若狭歴史博物館
福井県小浜市にある博物館
Official information
The official Miketsukuni Wakasa Obama tourism website provides information on when Jizo Bon is held, what takes place, approximate venues, and access.
Jizo Bon at a Glance
Obama City’s Jizo Bon is an event where children take center stage, honoring the Jizo statues and praying for health and safety.
Highlights include the brightly painted Jizo statues, the accompaniment of bells and drums, and water games around the five-colored flags.
Held annually on August 23 in various parts of the city, including the Nishizu district, the event lets visitors pay their respects and enjoy the local scenery.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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