Lanterns at the Mitama matsuri at the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo, Japan.

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Lanterns at the Mitama matsuri at the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Kudanshita, Tokyo, Japan. Friday July 14th 2017. .The Mitama Matsuri is one of Japan's largest Obon festivals with over 300,000 visiting the shrine to pay respect to ancestors during the 4 days it lasts. Obon is festival of remembrance for ancestors who are believed to come back from the other world and visit the living at this time. Yasukuni Shrine, which houses the spirits of the Japanese war dead, celebrates these spirits with 30,00 yellow lanterns and mikoshi parades and traditional dancing. The festivals runs from July 13th to 16th.

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Size: 5600px × 3733px
Location: Yasukuni shrine, Tokyo, Japan
Photo credit: © Damon Coulter / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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