Your Insider Guide to Megabon

Photo: Courtesy of Megabon

Now in its 3rd year, Megabon presented by Pacific Media Group continues to expand with local food and craft vendors, Japanese festival games, live entertainment and, of course, a mega-sized bon dance. Organizers expect an increase in attendance to 20,000 and are bringing in even more authentic game prizes and merchandise from Japan for the occasion.

Following the lead from the Osaka Expo 2025, the official bon dance song will be “Kono Hoshi No Tsuzuki Wo,” an infectious, upbeat tune with simple choreography for you to follow along to. There won’t be a drone show this year, but you can look forward to a new cultural exchange opening ceremony with Hawaiian performances from The Women of Hālau Ka Waikahe Lani Mālie and Men of Hālau Kahulaliwai with Taiko Drums from Ryugen Taiko.

The festival was created in 2023 by Todaiji Hawai‘i and JCI Honolulu to rekindle the interest in bon dances in Hawai‘i as well as provide a space to promote local performers and vendors. To honor the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, this year’s festivities are dedicated to Nisei veterans and will include representatives from the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

Click to the info you want to explore:

• When & Where
• What to Do
• What to Eat
• What to Buy
• Entertainment
• Tips

SEE ALSO: O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2025

Photo: Courtesy of Megabon

When & Where

Megabon will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 3:45 to 9 p.m. at Leeward Community College, 96-045 Ala ‘Ike Street, Pearl City.

How Much It Costs

Admission is free. Food, beverages, crafts and merchandise will be available for purchase with cash or credit card. An Early Access Pass ($10) will get you entry to the event at 3 p.m., so you can beat the crowds and snag a seat near the center stage. Or purchase a VIP Pass ($50) that includes early access at 3 p.m., VIP lounge access, parking, an exclusive Megabon Holo Card and a tote bag.

BUY PASSES

The festival games will require scrips, which can be purchased at the scrip booth with cash or credit card. Scrips will be sold for $20 per sheet of 25 scrips ($0.80 per scrip). Here are the game prices:

• Shateki (Shooting Game) – 7 scrips for 5 corks
• Taikomaru Rollout – 6 scrips for 3 balls
• Yoyo Sukui – 6 scrips for 1 try
• Omocha Sukui (Toy Fishing) – 6 scrips for 2 scoops
• Wanage (Ring Toss) – 5 scrips for 5 rings

Where to Park

No parking will be available at Leeward Community College, so here are your options:

• Ride Skyline. There is a rail station at the front entrance of Megabon. Park for free at the rail stations and ride to the event for $3, which includes a 2.5-hour transfer period. Plan your route here.
• Park for free at the following locations and take a complimentary shuttle to the event:
  • Pearl City Elementary School/Pacheco Park
  • Pearl City Public Library
  • Pearl City CDL Test Lot
  • Waipahu High School

• Take Lyft or Uber. The rideshare drop-off area will be at gate 2, lot 2 on the left side of Ala ‘Ike Street. Reference the map here.

Photo: Courtesy of Megabon

What to Do

You’ll feel like you’re strolling through an authentic Japanese street festival as you explore the food, craft and game booths. Gather around the giant 16’ by 16’ yagura (stage) to watch the heart-pounding taiko drum performances from Ryugen Taiko, then jump in the circle to follow the lead of five bon dance groups.

Shop for traditional bon dance merchandise such as uchiwa (fans), omamori (amulets), tenugui (towels) and even dog happi coats. Local vendors will be selling crafts and products too.

Play traditional Japanese games, such as Shateki (Shooting Gallery), Yoyo Sukui (Fishing Game), Wanage (Ring Toss), most hand-built locally for the event. You’ll be rewarded with prizes sourced from Japan.

SEE ALSO: Things to Do on O‘ahu in September 2025

What to Eat

Come hungry so you can taste your way through the festival. Enjoy traditional Japanese festival foods, like skewers, taiyaki, udon and andagi, as well as local favorites served by O‘ahu small businesses. The beer garden by Aloha Beer Co. will be bigger and better than last year. Sip on local brews on tap, Japanese chuhai (hard seltzer) and sake.

Check out the list of food and beverage vendors:

• Aloha Bento
• Aloha Scoops
• Celine’s Best
• Corn Onoz Hawai‘i
• Corner Rolls
• Crepe Haven
• Da Ultimate Grindz Hawai‘i
• Dave’s Ice Cream
• Fresca Hawai‘i
• Happy Belly Eatery
• Hott Potstickers
• Huli-Huli Chicken Co.
• Ilea’s Kitchen Hawai‘i
• JFK ‘Ono Grindz
• Kealoha Seafoods
• Khao and Papas
• Linaka’s Catering
• Main Squeeze Lemonade
• Milky Way Hawai‘i Ice
• Nicki’s Sweet Treats
• Olay’s Thai-Lao Express
• ‘Ono Viet
• Reecie B’s
• RMD Hawai‘i
• Sama Sama
• Smash Lemons
• Smoked
• Streats of Aloha
• Sugah Daddeh’s Kane Juice
• Sugarmami
• Takoyaki Yama-chan
• Thai-Lao Restaurant
• The Savellano’s Lechon
• Tropicold Wai
• Waba Snacks
• WB Waialua BBQ
• Wrap n’ Roll

Photo: Courtesy of Megabon

What to Buy

Here’s a list of craft, product and snack vendors:

• Aloha Charms 808
• Aloha Crisps
• Aloha Edibles
• Alohamade Bites
• Amo Creations
• Anime Currency
• Beads & Things by Kori
• Belly Rub Kitchen
• Clint Honolulu
• Cloud Pink Studio
• Comfy Maars
• Creations by Shell
• Creations by P1B
• Crochet Corner Creations
• Crystal Enchantment
• Culture Girl Boutique
• Handmade Creations by Linda L.
• Haroodles
• HIS
• Huff n Puff
• Jari’s Closet
• Kamiki Co.
• Kissy Hawai‘i
• Koa Kards
• Kolohe Boyz
• Ku‘uipo Collection
• Mana Jewelry
• Matty’s Munchies
• Miki’s Snackies
• Mise Kimono
• Miyako & Co
• Mizmatched Star
• Mocheeks
• Momo Terrascapes
• My Sweet World 808
• Noms
• Paws & Stitch
• Pono Shell Creations
• Sachi Co.
• Shaka Vibz
• Simply Creative
• Sumofish
• The Boujee and the Blingee
• The Henna Shack
• The Old Taku
• Toys & Things HI
• Valley of the Temples Memorial Park
• VH07V
• Yo Mama’s Mochi & Snacks

For updates on vendors, visit the website.

Photo: Courtesy of Megabon

Entertainment

Here’s a tentative schedule:

3 p.m. Early event access for VIP and Early Entry Passes

3:45 p.m. Event opens for general public

4:15 p.m. Opening Ceremony with Bishop Cosmo Hirai (Todaiji Temple), The Women of Hālau Ka Waikahe Lani Mālie and Men of Hālau Kahulaliwai, Ryugen Taiko

4:50 p.m. Welcome Address

5 p.m. Bon Dance starts with the Osaka Expo 2025 Bon Dance, followed by four dance groups: Waipahu Soto Bon Dance Class, Hawai‘i Shin Kobu Kai, Hawai‘i Eisa Shinyuu Kai and ‘Ewa Fukushima Bon Dance Club

6:45 p.m. Halftime Performance by Ryugen Taiko

7:10 p.m. Bon Dance Round 2 (same bon dance group rotation as above)

7:40 p.m. Lucky Raffle Drawing

8:45 p.m. Closing Speech

8:50 p.m. ‘Ewa Fukushima

Note: Times are subject to change.

Image: Courtesy of Megabon

Tips

• Feel free to wear Japanese festival attire such as happi coats or yukata. Megabon happi coats and other merchandise will be for sale at the JCI Honolulu booth.
• Wear sunscreen and a hat, especially if you come at 3 p.m.
• Bring your own chairs if you want to sit around the yagura to enjoy the live performances.
• Jump into the dance circle and try some moves! Watch the instructors in the inner circle, and you’ll catch on.
• The first 500 people to visit the Department of Transportation Services booth will receive a free (unloaded) limited-edition Megabon Holo Card.

Megabon, Saturday, Sept. 13, 3:45 to 9 p.m., Leeward Community College, 96-045 Ala ‘Ike Street, Pearl City, megabonhawaii.com, @megabonhawaii