From the thirteenth to the fifteenth of August one of the main Buddhist festivals is held in Japan - the O-Bon Festival, which is also often called the Lantern Festival. According to the legend these days the souls of the deceased relatives return to the earth in order to visit the living. During the festivities it is customary to gather together with the whole family. In different parts of the country the festival is held at different times. So, in some cities it passed earlier, from 13th to 15th July. Differences in dates are explained by the use of the solar and lunar calendars in different localities to determine the time of the festival.
