Mitama Matsuri
July 13 to July 16

Mitama Matsuri (Soul Festival), which is associated with the bon festival, is held at Yasukuni Shrine, Chiyoda-ku. There are various events such as a demonstration of traditional martial arts, a parade of mikoshi dedicated to the shrine, wadaiko (Japanese drum beating) and a performance of Japanese dance and music (biwa, taishogoto and tsugarujamisen) during the festival period.
The Mitama matsuri of the Yasukuni Shrine is famous for its use of paper lanterns, which represent the souls of the defunct people. There are as much as thirty thousands paper lanterns decorating the grounds and pathways of the Jinja.
Location: Yasukuni Shrine, Chiyoda-Ku, Kudan Kita 3-1-1. A short walk from the KudanShita subway station.

Related links :
- http://www.yasukuni.or.jp
- http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/schedule/mitama (in Japanese)

All photographs by Junko Nagata / Greece-Japan.com