On the evening of October 31s and Nov 1st, Meiji Jingu held a celebration for the 50th anniversary of its post-WWII reconstruction (Meiji Jingu was burnt down in 1945 during the war; with the help of many individual contributions, its reconstruction was completed October 31, 1958.)

Usually the shrine is closed at sunset; on Oct 31st and Nov 1st this year, it remained open to the public, with lanterns lighting the path to the temple.  The inner shrine itself was also illuminated.  On Friday night, we saw performances of Hogaku and Hobu, classical Japanese music and dance.

There were also displays of chrysanthemums (the crest of the royal family) and ikebana (Japanese flower arranging).