Bon Odori, meaning simply Bon dance, is an event held during Obon. It is celebrated as a reminder of the gratefulness one should feel toward one's ancestors. In Malaysia, Bon Odori Festival is celebrated every year in Penang and in Shah Alam, Selangor. In comparison to the celebrations in Japan, the festival is celebrated on a much smaller scale in Penang and Selangor, and is less associated with Buddhism and more w1ith Japanese culture. Held mainly to expose locals to a part of Japanese culture, the festival provides the experience of a variety of Japanese food & drinks, art and dance.
I didn't know about the festival at first until I was invited by my Japanese classmate to join the Bon Odori on 18th July. Together with our Chee SENSEI, we went to Panasonic Sports Complex by taking college bus. Upon reaching there, I met some of my college friends and old friends. All of us enjoyed the cultural dance, performances and food/drinks together. It was fun indeed. =)
I didn't know about the festival at first until I was invited by my Japanese classmate to join the Bon Odori on 18th July. Together with our Chee SENSEI, we went to Panasonic Sports Complex by taking college bus. Upon reaching there, I met some of my college friends and old friends. All of us enjoyed the cultural dance, performances and food/drinks together. It was fun indeed. =)
33rd Bon Odori Festival 2009
Organiser:
The Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur
The Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur
The Embassy of Japan
Date :
18th July 2009
Venue :
Panasonic Sports Complex, Shah Alam, Selangor.
Time :
7.00p.m. to 9.30p.m.
Programme :
17:00 - Gates Open
19:00 - Opening - Drum Performance
19:15 - Cultural Dance 1
19:45 - Dance by Guest Performers (Japanese)
20:00 - Cultural Dance 2
20:30 - Dance by Guest Performers (Malaysian)
20:45 - Cultural Dance 3
21:15 - Closing Address
The teacher-in-charge for our bus trip, Mr Chee.
A group of Japanese language learners a.k.a Tarcians.
The crowd at the main entrance.
Japanese dressed in Kimono.
Rehearsal before the event started offically.
The little girl with blue kimono is cute!
Wow, Mat Salleh dressed in Kimono.
I would like to taste this ICE-CREAM. LOL
I bought this imported Macha ice-cream. It cost RM5!
'YAKI' food stalls.
What is your favorite Japanese food?
Balloons. Imported too?
The sushi station.
Sea of faces.
In front of the performance stage.
My dinner. Unagi Don and Ikayaki.
Marilyn and I.
Seng Ju and I.
Chien Wen and I.
Cheng Fei and I.
The opening ceremony.
People on the field.
Cultural Dance.
The people followed the dance!
It's fun dancing with the crowd! Peace!
Dance by guest performers. (Japanese)
Wow, cool!
It was a very very very BIG crowd!
Dance by guest performers. (Malaysian)
The audience were invited to join the performance.
Pretty! Pretty! Pretty! =P
The white belongs to me and the pink belongs to Seng Ju. LOL. 
Sweet memories in Bon Odori Festival. =)
Went home with Seng Ju by KTM. GHOST~~ XD
