Japan is a fascinating place. Apart from the wonderful food, architecture and social attractions of its major cities, it also has countless traditional festivals and colourful processions to enjoy. Almost every Shinto shrine around the country honours its own deity with a unique annual festival which makes the cultural landscape incredibly rich and varied.

There are festivals to celebrate the changing of the seasons, the earth itself, old trees, stones and rocks, purification of the soul, coming of age and fertility. I attribute this to the Japanese love and respect for nature and their reverence for anything organic that comes from the earth.