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Most of us would associate Yasukuni Shrine (靖国神社) with controversies whenever a Japanese politician pay respect to the dead at the shrine. However, there are quite a few interesting events held at the shrine as well and for Today’s Japan Photo, we shall take a look at the Mitama Festival 御霊まつり.

This photo is taken off Wall Street Journal’s Picture Japan series. Really like how the lanterns are lined up uniformly and yet have different wordings drawn on them.

You must be wondering why are there so many lanterns? Here’s the reason behind this festival:

Mitama Festival 御霊まつり is a mid summer celebration of the spirits of the ancestors that take place on 13-16 July annually. The entry walk is decorated with 40 foot high walls of 29000 or more lanterns, and thousands of visitors come to pay respects to their lost relatives and friends.