(UPDATE: Check out the photos and videos of MITAMA MATSURI 2010 too if you like this post)
I went to the Mitama Matsuri (Soul Festival) at the Yasukuni Shrine yesterday. It is a festival that honours the dead.
![Mitama Matsuri at Yasukuni Temple](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v2RfpQHwb9NgMRvxT5CBzquUI9pvSRhlAhozeNNr4EeFSCP-uODucXdE3umQNQrD4q3IiFGPY_H9ZyXrnKCQFKQ2IgFsp9GlB6-pQBpqgrOAtTn2xtgkybAP-ZYeTmfXY=s0-d)
My initial plan was to go to the Toro-nagashi (floating of lighted lanterns on the water) in the palace moat at Chidorigafuchi Park nearby.
Alas, I wasn't able to catch the latter, although I have to say that the Mitama Matsuri was definitely impressive.
This is the haunted house attraction at the festival. Hear the sounds of people screaming?
And then I made my way past the stalls and watched a drum performance.
As you can see, it was a pretty large festival, lots of stalls, people, and dazzling colours. I was excited to see so many in yukata too. (I am a fan of its aesthetics!)
![The crowd at Mitama Matsuri](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_s95cmR2E6xwH6xPu9qrJzHKApiwp7S54Y2kpHyaTpTtxA0jKancbaO4Yx81yEkanzFFKtzkEHUC_NExXnmPGiTo-neFL18h5xOvtm_230DcpIYY7WSy7bf8GOjFyOBeAY=s0-d)
![Little girl eating alone during Mitaka Matsuri](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vik5NcgJTVPPndFcvz2SGWveHU_BXZJJHwMHR4VTDGE8fAixgYSDhEC34wBS1BKawtRvRa6rDf235hbZ7otJHiZx6wCe35G_ufzbyDvldugWCDyoUCeWl67xT3jbEdp5A=s0-d)
![Walking past the temple gates of Yasukuni](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vZnVAYB5sqO-ouV0Z5vfuRbbhGs2OKvMNbuIBiYEm3tRmsNBSkdHnuZiR1id24T0Qr1Jp49xMp8sR3XCTgNH6T9EK7JlYDJSyMIt-g-1Skj2SRtRSjvDD3ZhvH271_Nkg=s0-d)
Near the main shrine building, children performances were held. Lots of cries of "Kawaaaaaaii!" among the women audiences. I wanted to do the same but I am fearful that it would sound too pedo-ish.
![Children performing ballet at Mitama Matsuri](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vNY8KHQJCXPsZdu4y0UKSHniSd3RX1B2avHwujf2VlkvdbF9Nt7Ij0XQg0q6OV7Vo__rOkaaVZB0rtiIOvjgXR3r7RS_jXUqmq76Dt9CgR92QbS9xyAWg86dtnxt-B_w=s0-d)
The many lanterns in the festival bear letters written by many well-known people.
I was walking about the area around the main building when I suddenly heard the rumbling sounds of taiko.
Navigating my way through the sea of people, and as you can see, many were in pretty yukata, I went to check it out.
I left the shrine after that, wanting to head towards the Toro-nagashi as I've mentioned at the beginning of this post.
It was a pity I didn't catch that, the sight of lighted lanterns floating about a moat had always been something I wanted to see for myself.
Yet the Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni, with its splendour, was worth the trip.
![Decorations at the Mitama Matsuri festival](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tnMeXSTkby5s5vZOlJ75x__yXYUy1CC87eQrl-gad0oHo_SYc9izGcBwXxDK-iJ354pLAs3hVKRyC9rrS88f_I2EPnaE5RVCfiVd-49SdktaCZwce3y4XkRyQg2GX2zqQ=s0-d)
Before I left, I caught the Bon Odori at the festival on video. Pretty magnificent.
(UPDATE: Don't forget to check out the photos and videos of MITAMA MATSURI 2010 if you like this)
I went to the Mitama Matsuri (Soul Festival) at the Yasukuni Shrine yesterday. It is a festival that honours the dead.
My initial plan was to go to the Toro-nagashi (floating of lighted lanterns on the water) in the palace moat at Chidorigafuchi Park nearby.
Alas, I wasn't able to catch the latter, although I have to say that the Mitama Matsuri was definitely impressive.
This is the haunted house attraction at the festival. Hear the sounds of people screaming?
And then I made my way past the stalls and watched a drum performance.
As you can see, it was a pretty large festival, lots of stalls, people, and dazzling colours. I was excited to see so many in yukata too. (I am a fan of its aesthetics!)
Near the main shrine building, children performances were held. Lots of cries of "Kawaaaaaaii!" among the women audiences. I wanted to do the same but I am fearful that it would sound too pedo-ish.
The many lanterns in the festival bear letters written by many well-known people.
I was walking about the area around the main building when I suddenly heard the rumbling sounds of taiko.
Navigating my way through the sea of people, and as you can see, many were in pretty yukata, I went to check it out.
I left the shrine after that, wanting to head towards the Toro-nagashi as I've mentioned at the beginning of this post.
It was a pity I didn't catch that, the sight of lighted lanterns floating about a moat had always been something I wanted to see for myself.
Yet the Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni, with its splendour, was worth the trip.
Before I left, I caught the Bon Odori at the festival on video. Pretty magnificent.
(UPDATE: Don't forget to check out the photos and videos of MITAMA MATSURI 2010 if you like this)