Japan Tours Switzerland
EN IT ZH FR DE JA

Mitama Matsuri

Mitama Matsuri

The Enchanting Mitama Festival

Dive deeper into the Mitama Festival with insights, history, and practical information available at Yasukuni Shrine’s Official Website. For easy navigation and location details, refer to the Google Maps link.

Embark on an enriching expedition filled with culture, spirituality, and communal warmth at the distinguished Mitama Festival. Hosted within the revered Yasukuni Shrine from July 13 to July 16, 2024, attendees are enveloped in an ambience pulsating with spiritual vibrations and the colourful essence of Japanese culture.

A Soulful Commemoration

Amidst the enigmatic allure of Tokyo, the Mitama Festival at the Yasukuni Shrine serves as a serene oasis, where spiritual communion and cultural celebration converge. Marking the onset of the Obon season, a special period of honoring ancestors, this festival is a dance of energies, uniting the temporal and spiritual worlds.

Amidst Lanterns and Legacy

The nights come alive under the soft glow of over 30,000 votive and paper lanterns, each a silent ode to the souls enshrined. Adorned with intricate inscriptions and artwork, these luminaries cast an enchanting spell, turning the shrine grounds into a mesmerizing spectacle of light, respect, and remembrance.

Rows of glowing yellow lanterns at Mitama Matsuri, Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

A Tapestry of Cultural Richness

The Mitama Festival is more than a spiritual gathering; it’s a vibrant canvas of Japanese cultural expressions. Performers breathe life into the solemn atmosphere with taiko drumming and dances, while an assortment of games and culinary delights offers a diverse and engaging experience for every attendee.

Crowds at Mitama Matsuri with lanterns lining the path to Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Schedule and Offerings

Join the cultural and spiritual ensemble from the evenings of July 13 to July 16, starting at 6:00 p.m. The Main Sanctuary welcomes worshippers from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., while front shrine worship extends from 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Amidst the illuminated shrine, every visitor is promised a journey of profound spiritual connection and cultural enrichment.

Keywords:

  1. Yasukuni Shrine
  2. Mitama Festival
  3. Obon Season
  4. Japanese Culture
  5. Lantern Illumination

Lanterns and crowds at Mitama Matsuri festival at Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Illuminated lanterns at Mitama Matsuri festival at Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Illuminated lanterns with handwritten messages at Mitama Matsuri, Yasukuni Shrine, Kudanshita.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Lanterns illuminated at Mitama Matsuri, Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Lanterns illuminated at night during Mitama Matsuri at Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Crowd gathered at night for Mitama Matsuri at Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Colorful paper cranes and glowing lanterns at Mitama Matsuri, Yasukuni Shrine, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Colorful paper decorations at Mitama Matsuri, Yasukuni Shrine, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Colorful paper lantern decorations at Mitama Matsuri, Yasukuni Shrine, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Illuminated lanterns at Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine, Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Illuminated lanterns at Mitama Matsuri, Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Illuminated lanterns at Mitama Matsuri, Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Illuminated lanterns at Mitama Matsuri festival at Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Rows of glowing yellow lanterns at Mitama Matsuri, Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Illuminated lanterns at Mitama Matsuri, Yasukuni Shrine, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Illuminated lanterns at Mitama Matsuri, Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Illuminated lanterns at Mitama Matsuri, Yasukuni Shrine, Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Takoyaki stall banner at Mitama Matsuri with glowing lanterns at Yasukuni Shrine, Kudanshita.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Crowd gathered at a food stall during Mitama Matsuri at Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Visitors enjoying food and drinks at Mitama Matsuri near Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Crowd gathered at Mitama Matsuri with illuminated lanterns at Yasukuni Shrine, Kudanshita, during the evening.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Lanterns illuminated during Mitama Matsuri at Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Crowd gathered at Mitama Matsuri with illuminated lanterns at Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Crowd gathered at Mitama Matsuri with a lit stage and lanterns at Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Crowd gathered at Mitama Matsuri festival near Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, with lanterns and a statue in view.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Evening crowd at Mitama Matsuri festival near Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Lantern-lined path during Mitama Matsuri at Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Illuminated lanterns at Mitama Matsuri festival in Yasukuni Shrine, Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Colorful float and lanterns at Mitama Matsuri, Yasukuni Shrine, Kudanshita.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

Crowds at Mitama Matsuri with lanterns lining the path to Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

Mitama Matsuri in Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people honor the spirits of the dead, 13th July / 16th July. More than 30000 lanterns

More to explore