All are invited to attend the Bon Odori festivals in Greater Seattle this July.

For Japanese Buddhists, Bon Odori, or O-Bon, is the time to reflect on and show gratitude toward their ancestors.

Today, the Bon Odori festival has become an annual, family-friendly tradition in the Pacific Northwest for all to enjoy and includes Japanese food, crafts and taiko drumming. All are encouraged to participate in easy-to-learn traditional Japanese folk dances, which take place in a giant oval outside on the street. Many attendees wear brightly-colored summer kimonos.

Bon Odori Calander:

Betsuin Temple: 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, July 16 and 3 p.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, July 17. At Seattle Buddhist Temple: 1427 S. Main, Seattle. For more information, go to www.seattlebetsuin.com or call 206-329-0800.

An official Seafair event that includes food booths, taiko and martial arts performances, craft exhibits and demonstrations.

White River Buddhist Temple: 4:30-9:30 p.m.- Saturday, July 23 at 3625 Auburn Way N., Auburn. For more information, go to whiteriverbuddhisttmpl.org.

Food offerings include: beef bowl, spam musubi, somen, shaved ice, hot dogs, hamburgers and desserts (baked manju, steamed mochi, pies, strawberry sundaes). Events include a Puget Sound Bonsai Association display, taiko performances and temple service.

Tacoma Buddhist Temple: 5-9 p.m., July 30 at 1717 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma. For more information, go to tacomabt.org or call 253-627-1417.

Includes a beer garden, taiko drumming and a candlelight memorial service.

Other upcoming Japanese cultural events:

Japan Culture Weekend @ Uwajimaya Bellevue: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.- Saturday, July 23 and noon-5 p.m, Sunday, July 24 at 699 120th Ave. N.E., Bellevue. For more information, go to enma.org or call 425-861-7865.

Includes representatives from Aki Matsuri, Puget Area Paper Enthusiasts Roundtable, Nikkei Horizons, Sakura-Con (Saturday only), Ikebana and “saganishiki” weaving, an origami and chop sticks challenge and Japanese leather art.

Aki Matsuri: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 and 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Sunday Sept. 11.  Located at Bellevue College, main campus: 3000 Landerholm Circle S.E., Bellevue. G (Gymnasium), Carlson Theatre, C, D, E, L, and R-Building. For more information, go to enma.org.

Performing arts, martial arts and tea ceremony demonstrations, a Japanese flea market, food, more than 80 exhibit booths, workshops on bonsai, taiko, and Japanese gardening and the 20th Annual Koi Show by the Washington Koi & Water Garden Society.