I went to the 2025 Summer Bon Odori Buddhist Festival here. I have not danced here in several years or before Cvid. I moved to S. Seattle area, so it's closer to drive out now. They use the same dances and music as the Seattle Bon Odori at the Betsuin Buddhist Church. A volunteer let me change into my kimono in the No Access Area where the restrooms by the Hodo alter area was. It's a large handicap restroom that I used before. So it was helpful. At the Seattle Buddhist Church there was no public restrooms to change. They close them up and have sanicans ionly. I changed at a hotel after I went to a fest. At Seattle Center before going to Seattle's Obon. I bought and found some Kimono underwear gear that I could not find in Little Tokyo in LA. I also found small tabis that fot me at size 4.5. So that was only $3 each and found two luckily. I thought I needed more larger size Tabi. Today my left foot was swollen with a sprained ankle. So some of my other tabis did not fit. I wore a brace and only dance "Tanko Bushi," the Coal Miner's Dance. They do this standard dance all over other Obons all over the US and in Tokyo. I was lucky they had left over Teriyaki Chicken bowl and Tsukemono half price. Retail for chicken was $12 , Unagi was $15. It was not as cheap when they sold them 10 yrs ago. Somen was $4. They did not have regular soda. Just flavored water and water. There was a Beer Garden too but no entertainment there since it off to the side of the church and not in a quieter area. There were a few African Amer. In the audience and other non Japanese Nikkei there too. They drew people from other parts of Tacoma, And other areas besides from the Seattle Obon. After 8pm they had a short Obon Memorial Service for deceased members and for anyone who bought a candle for $10. There were floating lanterns and other nice paper lanterns in their small Jp Gardens. Even in Idaho, there is a Bon Odori, Chicago, LA, SF, Sacramento, Vegas, Vancouver BC,. Hilo, Honolulu, Portland, OR. You can probably find where ever there is a Japanese Community like in Brasil and Peru. The Bon Odorii in the Phillippines is more of a stage show sponsored by Jp Corp. , Jp Gov. and they get many locals selling food. I saw it on You Tube. read more

Tacoma Buddhist Temple - Half price Tsukemono cabbage. I waited til closing to buy food half price. - Buddhist Temples Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

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Came here a few times for Japanese related events such as the Bon Odori and the latest being the Bazaar and craft festival. Each time we are here we are delighted by the helpful staff and the range of both handmade and well curated goodies. If you also are a fan of Japanese sweets, during these events they offer treats like daifuku and manju that is so fresh and chewy! A lot of street parking in the area but be weary, a lot of them are on hilly areas by the UW Tacoma campus! Also, if you can bring cash - some of the items sold at these events are cash only! read more

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The Tacoma Buddhist Temple has been in existence for almost 100 years and in their current location since the 1930's. A cornerstone of Tacoma's Japanese cultural scene, the temple holds several events over the year in addition to services and dharma classes. Services are 10am, Sundays. The temple is closed in August. Interested in taiko drumming? The temple recently started its own group: Tacoma Fuji Taiko. Events to watch for: Church Bazaar in November - the highlight is homecooked food in the auditorium of the temple, with vegetable stands, crafts and rummage sales. Bon Odori Festival in August - one of the 3 sister dance festivals (White River and Seattle rounding them out). Dancing to remember our ancestors and candle light service. Food booths, beer garden and crafts too! The temple has received an infusion of energy with the arrival of a new sensei in the last couple of years. Sensei Kakihara is very kind and approachable. He is a great addition to this temple as it works to define its place in the changing downtown Tacoma landscape. UW Tacoma is buying everything surrounding the church - and kudos (so far) to them as they work to preserve the church and attending traditions while ushering Tacoma into a new phase of urban development. The people at this temple are very warm, down to earth and welcoming - happy to receive newcomers or those interested in learning more about Buddhism. Whether you're interested in cultural or spiritual matters - Tacoma's offerings in both are quite fine! read more

I'm not religious at all nor am I the most spiritual one on my block either but I love going to festivals or bazaars that temples like this put on! I love to see the dancing, the performers, the vendors and of course the food! The food here actually was what I liked best here at the temple that they were serving at the festival! I ordered a Chicken Rice Bowl, corn on the cob, a slice of Strawberry Rhubarb Pie and Barley Tea to wash it down. All of the food was fresh and a real delight to eat! The vendors had some very cute and unique gifts here as well! I really enjoyed the guy that was selling all of the bonsai plants! I was so tempted to buy one but I have a black thumb when it comes to raising plants so I knew to pass on making any purchases there. I went inside the temple and looked at the room where spiritual services are held and thought the altar and the shrine itself was beautiful and so peaceful! I will make a point to remember when the bazaar is held again next year and will try to go again since I enjoyed my first visit here so much! read more

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** For the Bazaar Only** Little one and I went to their annual Bazaar basically because we wanted some homemade mochi (we read all about it in the TNT). We got there at 2pm (it was Sunday only from 11-4) and they were completely sold out of the mochi and the ohashi - both upstairs and downstairs. Some adorable little boy tried to sell us an apple pie as a replacement ...... We did eat some mochi ice cream (it was the same stuff you get at Trader Joe's....which I like). Then we ordered take-out - they were sold out of about 1/2 the items - ended up going with beef curry and "rice footballs" - they were good and the prices were good. Everyone was super nice but I think they must have gotten a much larger crowd than expected. We will try again next year! read more

Visited last week and was VERY impressed. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by the priest and a designated greeter. We were asked to sign in as guests and because we were new, they sat us next to a 'buddy' who helped us through the whole service (flipping though the chant books, etc) and educated us on Buddhism, Buddhist culture, and Japanese culture both before, after, and during the service. He explained what things meant if they were in Japanese and made us feel welcome. The service was about being argumentative and how we let our egos get in the way because we want to 'win' an argument rather than work it out, see the other person's side. This anger causes us blindness to accepting others and finding a 'middle way' and living in harmony. Everyone was helpful, beautiful and relevant service, welcoming people. Visitors were asked to stand to be recognized at the end rather than being ignored or asked to say a few words in front of the congregation. This is a very thoughtful way of making people feel welcome. We also visited during the Fall Bazaar which was a huge community event with friendly people and lots of food. We will definitely be back, and I hope to be a part of their congregation as I learn more about Buddhism! read more