Yasukuni Shrine
Yasukuni Shrine can be found very close to the Imperial Palace and is easy to recognize from the large torii that stands at the main entrance. This shrine is frequently visited by people from all over the country, as well as tourists. Families come here to remember and honor their relatives or friends who lost their lives fighting for Japan.
For me it is rather sad that Yasukuni Shrine has become a place of controversy and politics. It has been argued that some of those that are buried here are war criminals and that therefore, Japanese politicians should not make visits to the shrine.
National Holidays
If you happen to visit the shrine during on or during a National Holiday period such as Golden Week, there are sometimes special ceremonies and events taking place. These occasions are a chance to take in and observe aspects of Japanese culture that are rarely seen in everyday life. The far western part of the grounds includes a sumo wrestling ring. Every year in April, the first of three annual Japanese festivals takes place at Yasukuni Shrine. Keep a close eye because, during this festival it's possible to see some sumo matches at the shrine.
Gardens and Museums
Besides the main shrine, there are some beautiful grounds you can stroll through. Pick the right season, usually spring, June or autumn, and the flowers fill the air with a rich fragrance that you can't help breathing in.
One of my favorite areas is the Japanese garden pictured to the right. It's one of those hidden treasures I was talking about that sometimes just sneak up on you. It's extremely peaceful with just the sound of the water, birds and people murumuring to each other. You get quite a shock sometimes when, through the trees, you glimpse the skyscrapers that are only just outside the main gates and you remember that you're in Tokyo!
I've already mentioned that sometimes you get lucky and see things by chance that you had no idea were going to be there. That was the case with the musicians on the left. We went to Yasukuni Shrine on a National Holiday and were fortunate to catch a traditional Japanese music peformance while sitting underneath the trees in the grounds.
Also in the grounds is a museum, the Yushukan. A few of the contents within the museum have created some of the controversy surrounding Japan and the international criticism of Yasukuni Shrine. Some historical events and accounts, particularly those between China and Japan, and Korea and Japan, are said to have been diluted or edited so that they don't reflect the truth. Whatever your take on this, I hope it doesn't stop you enjoying the beautiful surroundings and the shrine itself.
