In preparation for the Obon Festival, the Japanese clean their houses and leave a food offering at a Butsudan or alter which is built in the home. The Butsudan, is a wooden cabinet with doors that protect the Gohonzon, which is usually a painting or possibly a statue of Buddha that is stored inside. Other religious items stored inside may include a mandala scroll, incense burners, bells, memorial tablets and a platform for offerings. On the first day of Obon lanterns are lit in the home, some regions of the country leave a fire burning outside the entrance to their house to help guide the spirits back home. Families visit the graves of relatives to call their spirit's home. On the last day of the festival, people return to their ancestor's grave sites to bring their ancestor's spirits back. They leave lanterns painted with the family crest at the grave site or burn fires outside of their houses to help guide the spirits back to the gravesite. At this time of year the smell of incense or senko, is in the air and in the homes.
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