Mitama Matsuri at Yasukuni Jinja

Yasukuni Shinto Shrine is dedicated to the kami (spirits) of soldiers and others who died fighting on behalf of the Emperor of Japan.

The shrine's haiden, the main prayer hall where worshipers come to pray:

Mitama Matsuri, held annually between 13-16 July, is a celebration of the spirits of the ancestors (soul festival). The entry walk is decorated with 40 foot high walls of 29 000 or more lanterns, and thousands of visitors come to pay respects to their lost relatives and friends.

A weekend in Hakone

Traditional Japanese style accomodation

Breakfast and Dinner

Hot springs

Eggs boiled in the hot springs are sold to tourists:

Mt.Fuji

Lake Ashi

Cruise ships on Lake Ashi

A peaceful oasis in the heart of Tokyo - Meiji Jingu (Shinto shrine)

The outer and inner Torii

(Shrine gates)

Temizuya

Water-filled basins are used by worshipers for washing their left hands, right hands, mouth and finally the handle of the water ladle to purify themselves before approaching the main Shrine.

The Main Shrine Building

Ema at Meji Jingu

Ema are small wooden plaques on which worshippers write their prayers or wishes. The ema are then left hanging up at the shrine, where the kami (spirits or gods) receive them.

Tokyo Tower

Tanabata at Zojoji Temple 7th July 2010

Tanabata is a star festival, that celebrates the meeting of Orihime (Vega)and Hikoboshi (Altair). According to legend, the Milky Way, a river made from stars that crosses the sky, separates the two lovers, who are allowed to meet once a year only on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.

The Gates of Zojoji

The Temple and Tokyo Tower

In Japan, people celebrate this day by writing wishes on tanzaku (small pieces of paper), and hanging them on a bamboo tree.

Day 5: Studio Alta and Shinjuku

Isetan food court:

Day 4: Shinjuku

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

and the view from the observatory (45th floor):

Cocoon Tower - MODE HAL IKO

The 50 level building contains 3 different schools: Tokyo Mode Gakuen (fashion), HAL Tokyo (IT and digital contents) and Shuto Iko (medical treatments and care).