Zenshuji Soto Mission

plenty of free parking.

On our way back to the car from an event at the Japanese American National Museum, Brandon D. and I passed Zenshuji’s Obon festival and decided to stop for a bit.
Zenshuji is fairly tucked away in the neighborhood across Alameda from the bulk of Little Tokyo. Their temple is small, yet the community is strong. People ran in and out of the building with more food for the booths and it was like watching a small village where everyone knew everyone else and worked together.
There were very few outsiders, mostly parishioners, it seemed. Still, we didn’t feel unwelcome.
The temple was filled with lanterns for Obon (photo:
). A name was written on a card dangling from each lantern.

Everyone talks about the Obon Festival here, but I actually go here with my grandma and mother for their monthly service. I’m usually the only 20 something there, since most of the people who attend service is 50+, and I can only hope more younger people start attending so this place doesn’t (I know this is bad wording) die out. Their monthly service usually starts around 11am on Sundays and after all the praying and incense stuff they usually have a short lecture in English and Japanese. There’s always food involved, with a bake sale before service, and a pot luck or bento box luncheon after service. My favorite is the pot luck, because it’s like having 20 Japanese grandma’s make delicious food for you! For the bento boxes you have to pay ahead of time, so they know how many to order. I think you need to RSVP for pot luck too, because my grandma is always asking how many people are coming.
Most of the people who go to Sunday service are people who have had loved ones pass away and this is the place that handled their service. Like I said, I wish more younger people would show up to carry on the tradition and culture. They have calendars available that show when they have their monthly service, but I usually just go when my grandma goes. If you have grandparents that go, I would definitely recommend you go with. The monks are young and very friendly and speak both Japanese and English. Parking is a bit harder because the lot is small and well… it’s old Asian drivers, but there’s street parking as well. It’s really super nice inside the temple, and everyone is very welcoming. So start paying your respects and get your butt to temple!

As far as Obon goes, the best food by far!
Must tries are:
Teriyaki steak and chicken, grilled over charcoal.
Takoyaki, the only carnival that serves this traditional food.
Udon, piping hot in an air condition hall.
AND… OKINAWA DANGO! Really, I’ve tried all of them from the Valley to the South Bay. And seriously, this place has the best.
Thumbs up! But as always, let me know what you think!

Some of the most warmest and friendliest people at this temple hands down. I was told this year’s Obon carnival will be July 9^th and 10^th, 2011. A member told me its always the 2^nd weekend of July. I typically gain a few pounds after visiting the food booths.
There’s another Obon festival going on at the same time across the street (the bigger Nishi Hongwanji temple). Nishi has some pretty cool games but Zenshuji’s food, drinks and entertainment can’t seem to be beat!

This is definitely a place I would visit again. I attended the Obon festival on Sunday (7÷8÷07). One thing I love about the Little Tokyo community is the way they share their culture with you and make you feel so welcome. Tried a lot of food — some great stuff. It was my first time to have Green Apple Iced Tea and I enjoyed it. Perfect drink for a hot day. Loved the Udon. No serving you in Styrofoam here. They served Udon out of real bowls. Had pitchers of ice water on the table too.
And I must give a shot out to Janice who worked at the Farmers Market. Nicest person ever. Met her and felt that I made an instant friend. She told me about Daikon and how to prepare it and even gave me 2 free to try. Did I mention that while I was sitting with the family that she later came up with 3 ears of hot grilled corn for us (she heard they were sweet and wanted us to try).
If you go to a carnival, forget what you look like and participate in the Bön Odori. It was nice. Everyone encouraged and helped each other. And another Janice Surprise (who came up with bottles of cold bottled water — Janice!!!)
Also the bathrooms — cleaned, maintained, toilet paper, soap and
towels.
I really could go on and on about this event. (and may even come back to rave more)
Definitely a new annual family tradition.

Greatest Obon festival ever! OK, so really it was my first Obon festival so I wouldn’t know if it was the greatest or not but I do know I had a great time at the 49^th Japanese Oban Carnival.
I toured the food booths, eating udon noodles, Okinawa dango, wontons, (I may have had everything they had). I got to hear the UCLA taiko group and the temple’s own famous Zendeko taiko group. Then finished off with Bön odori dancing. Which let me say surprisingly can make you break out in a sweat. Oh forgot to mention that at the end the temple gave away bags of stuff to everyone.