Halloween Around the World

The Japanese celebrate the obon, which is similar to Mexico's El Dia de Los Muertos in that they are honoring the spirits of the dead who return home to their families. The obon is a Buddhist tradition and is celebrated from August 13 to August 16. In welcoming back and honoring the spirits, the Japanese place foods, flowers and paper lanterns around their family altars.

A tradition that coincides with the obon celebration is the Japanese folk dance bon odori. The participants of the bon odori dress in kimonos and dance with the beat of Japanese drums (taiko) in the background.