Such misery is common during the Buddhist festival of Obon, but it is worse this year.

在佛教传统节日盂兰盆期间这种令人痛苦的事情是正常的，但是今年的情况更糟糕。

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The 3rd Sunday of the month, Year's End and New Year holiday period, and Obon period.

每月第3个星期日、年末年初及盂兰盆节休假。

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Notice the kanji character for "big" on the hillside in the above photo. Reckon they would light it up during Obon or some other festival.

看到上图山的一边刻了很大的“大”这个汉字吗？我们猜想在盂兰盆会或其他的日本传统节日中，可能会起火点燃这个部分吧？

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But in the summer and especially during the Buddhist Obon festival in August, Towa's island of Suoh-Oshima is overrun with visitors, many of them returning locals.

CNN: WHERE IT'S GOOD TO BE OLD