The Japan Society

08/23/2026

During Obon, ancestors’ spirits are believed to travel to household altars, where their family gather to honour them. Because the spirits ‘need a ride’ to make the trip 👻, family members carve steeds out of vegetables – typically a cucumber 🥒, symbolizing a horse to bring ancestors’ spirits home quickly, and an eggplant 🍆, symbolizing a cow so that ancestors can take a comfortable and leisurely trip back to the grave. They’re know as shōryō uma (spirit horse) and ushi uma (cow horse).

Did you know the meaning of the cucumber and eggplant on Obon?

📷: Photo AC

08/23/2026

08/23/2026

This unique dining experience is a beloved summer tradition in Japan. Cold somen noodles are sent racing down a bamboo flume filled with ice-cold water, and you have to catch them with your chopsticks as they slide past, before dipping them in a savoury sauce!

08/23/2026

Our annual Bonsai Expo, organized by Ottawa Bonsai Society, will be held on September 12 and 13 this year! Come see beautiful bonsai trees, learn more about the art of bonsai and see live bonsai demonstrations on both days at 1pm!

📆: Sept. 12 (10am-4pm) and Sept. 13 (10am-3pm), demonstrations both days at 1pm
📍: Embassy of Japan (255 Sussex Drive)
💴: Free!

Notre exposition annuelle de bonsaï, organisée par la Société de bonsaï d'Ottawa, aura lieu les 12 et 13 septembre cette année ! Venez admirer de magnifiques bonsaïs, en apprendre davantage sur l’art du bonsaï et assister à des démonstrations de bonsaï en direct les deux jours à 13 h !

📆: 12 septembre (10 h à 16 h) et 13 septembre (10 h à 15 h), démonstrations les deux jours à 13 h
📍: Ambassade du Japon (255 prom. Sussex)
💴: Entrée gratuite !

08/23/2026

08/23/2026

08/23/2026

08/23/2026