The Japanese-American Citizens’ League is recreating Bon Odori in Olympia. The once-annual cultural event hasn’t happened since 2018.

In between, the finale of the Miss Penang Bon Odori 2024 pageant played out. Having won medals for her state and country in karate, Madeline Wong Mei Ge turned her sights to the catwalk.

1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Japanese guests try some pizza during the Bon Odori festival at Camp Zama, Japan, Aug. 5, 2023. About 20,000 people attended this year's event, which honors ...

Some 35,000 visitors thronged the Japanese Bon Odori festival here this evening, a month after it came under scrutiny, following a minister’s advice for Muslims to avoid it. Lines of visitors ...

For many people, Bon odori dance festivals are an annual summer tradition where the locals get together and dance to traditional music. But Yukiko Nakanishi has become a common fixture among the ...

And with increased interest and attendance this year – an estimated 50,000 people took part in Saturday’s celebration – it is likely the Bon Odori festival is here to stay.