July 13, 2008: 54th Annual Enmanji Temple BBQ and Bazaar (10 am  - 6pm)

Enjoy traditional Japanese food and culture at the Enmanji Temple BBQ and Bazaar, which attracts thousands of Bay Area residents to Sebastopol.

The surrounding Japanese community refers to the Enmanji event as the “grandfather of Bay Area teriyaki barbecues.” Marinating and barbecuing chicken is common now, but but 54 years ago, it was quite unique to the general public. Enmanji Temple members were the first in the Bay Area to feature chicken teriyaki BBQ fundraisers as a way to share their Japanese heritage with their neighbors.

During the Sunday event, you can enjoy a hot or cold barbecued teriyaki chicken lunch as well as other Japanese foods such as imagawa yaki (a sweetened bean-filled pastry) sushi, kushi yaki and locally made desserts. If you want a cold teriyaki chicken lunch plate but can’t stop by for the festivities, you can go to drive-up window at Elphick Rd. behind the temple.

Cultural activities at the daylong event include Ikebana flower arranging and sale, bonsai display from the Redwood Empire Bonsai Society, an extensive outdoor plant sale, Buddhist dharma talk, games for the kids, handicrafts, raffle drawing, bingo, cultural arts displays, martial arts demonstrations and, of course, the popular taiko drumming by Sonoma County Taiko who will perform at 1pm and 4pm.



July 19, 2008: Obon Odori Dance (7pm)

The traditional Obon Odori Dance will be held one week after the Enmanji Temple BBQ and Bazaar.

Obon Odori is much like the Mexican celebration of Dia de La Muertos (Day of the Dead) in that it honors the dead. It is believed that all who have passed away will return once a year to enjoy earthly pleasures. This festival is celebrated throughout Japan and there are many events held throughout the Bay Area. 

At the Enmanji celebration, the dances are performed in two or more concentric circles with dance instructors in the center. This allows the rest of the participants to watch the simple steps and follow along. Wear cultural dress if you like. Many women and children wear kimonos for the event and men don their yukata or happi coats. Taiko drummers will perform at 8pm.


(Thanks to Lance Lew for his help with this article.)

• There's free parking in nearby fields.
• The BBQ and Bazaar event takes place mostly outdoors in the parking lot.