Iris @ Meiji Shrine: June 8, 2013

Here again came the season of Japanese iris. I visited Meiji iris field in Meiji Shrine.

The field is in the wood. Thousands of purple and white flowers were open. Butterflies were floating and birds were singing.



Many visitors were taking pictures.

Rainy season will start shortly.

Sanno Festival @ Hie Shrine: June 8, 2013

Edo’s three major festivals include Kanda Festival @ Kanda Shrine, Sanja Festival @ Askusa Shrine, and Sanno Festival @ Hie Shrine. I have already visited first two festivals. I visited the third one today.

Hie Shrine locates central Tokyo. It is only few hundred meters from Prime Minister’s house and Japanese Diet. The shrine is now surrounded by buildings.


The shrine has big festival and small festival every each year. This year’s festival is small one. There is no large-scale mikoshi (portal shrine) parade planned this year. Rather, a series of small events is scheduled.


A ceremony for small children was held when I visited there. Boys and girls were in traditional costumes. Parents and grandparents were taking pictures.


It was a hot summer day.