From March 17 to March 23 this year it is Ohigan, which happens twice a year in the Spring and Autumn equinoxes.

The word 'higan' comes from the Sanskrit word 'Paramita', which translates into 'other shore'. It is an abbreviation of 'to-higan' which means 'to arrive at the other shore'.

The 'other shore' refers to Nirvana or Enlightenment. During this time people go to graves to pray for their ancestors. People also eat ohagi which are rice balls covered with sweet beans.