Tokyo

Yasukuni Shrine: Commemoration Day

A surreal yet interesting experience

Steve Morton Aug 22, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>Amidst a heavy police presence, this year`s annual commemoration took place in and around the notorious Yasukuni Shrine</p>

<p>It wasn`t too long before I could find someone dressed in full Imperial Military combat fatigues</p>

<p>Although traditionally a staging ground for the far right nationalist party, the last few years has seen a large number of non pro-nationalist protests. Interestingly, this group was campaigning against the Ministry of Education's 'watering down' of historical events in school textbooks</p>

<p>Just some of the large crowds gathered along Yasukuni-dori, a few meters away from Yasukuni Shrine</p>

<p>In amongst these crowds was a large police presence, the largest I have seen to date since my time in Japan!</p>

<p>Most of these riot police were tough looking individuals equipped with Kendo Style body armor. As you can clearly see, they bear little resemblance to regular Police Officers usually found sitting inside your local Koban (Police Box)</p>

<p>Despite the long line of flag bearing participants, most of these people are more concerned about contemporary social and welfare issues as opposed to postmodern nationalistic ideology</p>

<p>Where ever there were crowds, there were police!</p>

<p>Interestingly, despite the large crowds and heavy police presence I didn`t feel intimidated once</p>

<p>A large crowd gathers at a crossing close to the exit of Kudanshita Metro Station</p>

<p>When heading back into Yasukuni Shrine I could see several people hoisting the Japanese Imperial Naval flag</p>

<p>Despite being one of the hottest days of the year these people were dressed in full military attire</p>

<p>Saluting the imperial colors; an interesting end to a somewhat surreal day!</p>

Marking the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender to the allies, August the 15th is probably the least likely date that most foreigners would ever consider visiting Tokyo's notorious Yasukuni Shrine.

Putting these thoughts aside however, I decided to visit anyway since this is one of the only places in the world where you can watch a former Axis power commemorating their part in the Second World War.

Battling the crowds and summertime heat, what I found was a somewhat surreal yet interesting experience.

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Steve Morton @steve.morton138

Yokohama based content creator, editor, and researcher. Steven likes, eating, reading and traveling on a streamlined budget guaranteed to make any self-respecting local gulp. When not too busy with work assignments, Steven attempts to not get lost while following Japanese tourist maps.Follow me o...