Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school. Many Japanese people had a summer break (Obon break) in mid-August.
Obon is a Buddhist memorial service for the ancestors and the deceased of the family. It takes place from the 13th through to the 15th of August. During the period, spirits of the dead are believed to return to their familiies. People visit the family grave, offer flowers, burn incense sticks and pray for their souls to rest in peace. Bon dances are performed to entertain ancestral spirits throughout Japan. on the ast evening of obon, farewell fires are made to guide the spirits back to their world.

August 20th News, from NILS Japanese language school.