Today is the final day of this year's Mitama Matsuri — one of my all-time favourite Tokyo festivals, held at one of my least favoured (the rest of the year) shrines.
Most of the time I'd rather give Yasukuni Jinja a wide berth. But for one weekend — this year it's four consecutive days — the lights are up, the shrine precincts are rocking, and it's a blast.
Some people go to look at the amazing banks of lanterns. Others for the side shows, especially the haunted house and the Hebi Onna (Snake Woman) show. And yet others for the general fun of dressing up in yukata and confirming that, yes indeed, summer is back again.
As for me, it's the fantastic array of food stalls that is so compelling. You could call this the best array of street food in the capital. Except you never see half of these on any road or alley.
Here are a few of the best images from Friday night. I'll probably add a few captions later on, but for the moment please just enjoy the smells and colour and noise and flavours wafting off your computer screen...
