Yasukuni Jinja (靖国神社) is a Shinto shrine dedicated chiefly to war dead soldiers, and sometimes refered to as "the war shrine" in foreign media, is the second largest Shinto shrine in Tokyo core. It's a 3-minute walk from Kudanshita Station of the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line & Hanzomon Line and the Toei Shinjuku Line. For details about this shrine , see the article on Yasukuni Shrine.This shrine holds Reitaisai (the Grand Festival) biannually -in April and in October.

Shunki Reitaisai at Yasukuni Shrine

Of the two Grand Festivals (Reitaisai) held at this shrine every year, the one held from April 21 to 23 is called the Shunki Reitaisai (春季例大祭,) which means "the Spring Grand Festival." Since being one of the most prestigious Shinto shrine in Japan, the shrine accepts an envoy, who delivers votive offerings, dispatched from the emperor on these occations.

At 10am on April 22, the envoy from the emperor set off toward the shrine building to dedicate offerings.

Japanese primroses have been a very popular garden plant since the fuedal times in this country, and many cultivars have been developed ever since.

Votive performances

From April 21 to 23, many votive performances are performed at the Noh stage all day.

Hono Ozumo

Hono Ozumo is an event which professional sumo wrestlers of Ozumo (Grand Sumo) Association devote their bouts. This event takes place several days before the grand festival, but it's also a votive service for the festival. For details about this event, see the article on the Hono Ozumo at Yasukuni Shrine.