At the first obon following the death of a family member (hatsubon) the surviving family members tow boats called shorobune, which are decorated with bon-lanterns and imitation flowers and are believed to hold the spirits of the deceased on board, to a place called the nagashiba.
初盆を迎えた故人の家族らが、盆提灯や造花などで飾られた精霊船（しょうろうぶね）と呼ばれる船に故人の霊を乗せて、流し場と呼ばれる終着点まで運ぶ。