Photo of a tea light being lowered into the Strolling Pond Garden of the Portland Japanese Garden as part of O-Bon.
Picture Post

Picture Post: Farewell, Uncle Bill. You were the first tea light on the Strolling Pond Garden tonight.

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Photo of a tea light being lowered into the Strolling Pond Garden of the Portland Japanese Garden as part of O-Bon.
Photo of a tea light being lowered into the Strolling Pond Garden of the Portland Japanese Garden as part of O-Bon.

Taken on Aug 14, 2026 @ 21:31.

Photo of tea lights lit for O-Bon at the Portland Japanese Garden gathering along the bank of the Strolling Pond Garden.
Photo of tea lights lit for O-Bon at the Portland Japanese Garden gathering along the bank of the Strolling Pond Garden.

It’s been a while since I made it up to the Portland Japanese Garden for O-Bon. In early January, we had a very sudden and unexpected death in the family. It felt like the right time to attend again.

Photo of an altar prepared on a table along the bank of the Strolling Pond Garden in the Portland Japanese Garden.
Photo of an altar prepared on a table along the bank of the Strolling Pond Garden in the Portland Japanese Garden.

I didn’t know until the event started, but this year marks the 50th year the garden has hosted O-Bon. It is one of the garden’s most popular events, and is now spread across multiple days as a result, with the service and the festival taking place on separate days. I recommend attending both at least once, if you have the chance to do so.

AUTHOR

Stephen Weber
Geek, otaku, and public transport advocate. Knows where their coffee is.

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