top of page

San Jose Obon Festival: A Different Perspective

  • Alex Q. Nguyen
  • Aug 7, 2019
  • 2 min read

Experiencing new foods, cultures, events and festivities has always been a highlight of traveling for me when traveling. I love getting immersed in the new environment whether it is trying new foods, checking out local markets, or enjoying the local festivals.

One festival that I have had the chance of attending was the San Jose Obon Festival in July 2019. Personally, I have never been to a festival like this before as I am not that involved with the other communities back home in Utah. Something I have been to similar to the Obon festival would be for Vietnamese holidays such as the Moon or Tet Festival. Obon (also called Bon) is a way to honor the spirits of people’s ancestors. This religious and cultural tradition has over time become more of a family reunion holiday where families visit and clean their ancestors' graves.

The festival was full of activities, performances, and food from the Japanese culture. Dishes such as sushi, teriyaki, and tempura were being served at food vendors at the festival. The lines for popular items such as Teriyaki meats and Japanese style Grilled corn were so long the lines went outside beyond the food court! I was only able to try some Gyozas and the Nigiri Sushi. They still tasted good and authentic. The games offered were more geared towards younger kids but anyone could enjoy the carnival games they had there. The performances were a big highlight of this event too! Both musical and dance groups had Japanese style performances such as Taiko drums performed by San Jose Taiko or traditional sounding Japanese music.

Going to this festival as a Vietnamese American was an interesting experience for me. Watching the musical and dance performances was exciting because it was a new experience for me. I was able to listen to a Japanese band called the Chidori Band which played more traditional Japanese music. Before this event, the only Japanese music I was exposed to was more of the country’s pop music and genre.

Another thing that was surprising to me was the diversity of attendees. There were people from different cultures and backgrounds celebrating and enjoying this Japanese festival. Seeing people from different walks of life getting excited over another culture is nice! It shows that people, no matter what their background is can enjoy and celebrate other cultures.

Attending this festival has left an indelible impact on me and I will definitely be on the look out for other events such as this one back in Utah.

Photos by: Alex Q. Nguyen

If you like stories like this, subscribe to Chopsticks Alley.

Alex Q. Nguyen - Riverton, UT Contributor

Alex is currently attending the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. He is majoring in Film and Media Arts however, he is still exploring the film industry to discover something he likes. His hobbies include photography, guitar, videogames, hiking, and he is still working on his videography skills.

Follow Alex on Instagram @alex._.nguyen

8 Comments


tefali4496
Feb 07

The transportation and logistics industry is evolving rapidly with advancements in technology optimizing supply chains. Companies are embracing automation, AI, and real-time tracking to improve efficiency and reduce costs. One emerging name in logistics is Veho, a tech-driven company streamlining last-mile delivery. Many businesses rely on Veho tech reviews to assess its reliability and performance. With data-driven solutions, Veho enhances delivery speed and customer satisfaction. As logistics continues to innovate, companies leveraging cutting-edge technology will stay ahead in the competitive market. The future of transportation and logistics lies in smart, sustainable, and customer-centric solutions.

Like

CQTS NWVB
CQTS NWVB
Dec 21, 2024

google 优化 seo技术+jingcheng-seo.com+秒收录;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Slots Fortune…

站群/ 站群

gamesimes gamesimes;

03topgame 03topgame

EPS Machine EPS Cutting…

EPS Machine EPS and…

EPP Machine EPP Shape…

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

EPS Machine EPS and…

betwin betwin;

777 777;

slots slots;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Like

CQTS NWVB
CQTS NWVB
Dec 10, 2024

google seo google seo技术+飞机TG+cheng716051;

game game

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

456bet 456bet

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Slots Fortune Tiger…

03topgame 03topgame

EPS машины EPS машины;

seo seo;

EPS Machine EPS and EPP…

EPS Machine EPS and EPP…

EPS Machine EPS Cutting Machine;

Like

CQTS NWVB
CQTS NWVB
Dec 01, 2024

google seo google seo技术+飞机TG+cheng716051;

game game

game game

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

game game

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Slots Fortune Tiger…

03topgame 03topgame

EPS машины EPS машины;

EPS Machine EPS Cutting Machine;

EPS Machine EPS and EPP…

EPS Machine EPS and EPP…

EPS Machine EPS Cutting Machine;

Like

NKJD IITY
NKJD IITY
Nov 17, 2024

谷歌seo优化 谷歌SEO优化;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Slots Fortune Tiger Slots;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Slots Fortune Tiger Slots;

Like

Mission:

Chopsticks Alley seeks to unite and empower Southeast Asian Americans, emphasizing emerging young leaders and cultural trends.

We explore how South East Asian Americans actively influence American culture by providing impartial perspectives and information on diverse topics to identify how this community has historically been defined and how it is being redefined today.

Copyright 2021 Chopsticks Alley ®
Designed by Trami Group, LLC

Disclaimer:

 

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Chopsticks Alley, its principals, editors or members.

Reproduction of the material contained in this publication may be made only with the written permission to the Chief Editor of Chopsticks Alley. 

 

Send inquiries to chopsticksalley@gmail.com

bottom of page