Today, the 23 of September is the autumnal equinox or O-Higan, as it is called in Japan. Both the vernal and the autumnal equinox are national holiday here. It is believed that on these special days, when the day and the night are of equal length, our world and the ‘other’ are at the closest to each other thus making it easier to connect with those who have passed. On O-Higan families all over Japan visit their ancestral graves to clean them and honor the family members who have passed with flowers and incense.
Something I love about this time of the year are the beautiful Higan-bana (literally: equinox flowers) – the bright red spider lilies that line the paths and cover parks and meadows with striking carpets of crimson. There are many places in Tokyo where we can view this beautiful flowers. In this video I show you one of them: the hill behind the Takahata Fudo temple. Enjoy their beauty!
To read my full blog on O-Higan go to: https://spiritofjapantours.com/o-higan/
If you enjoyed this video please, give it a LIKE on YouTube and help me grow my channel.
To receive notifications when a new video is posted click on the SUBSCRIBE button below.
If you are interested to know more about Japan’s unique traditions and spirituality check out my BLOG at https://spiritofjapantours.com
Or, visit my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SpiritOfJapanTours/
For more photos from beautiful Japan connect with me on Instagram at #the_spirit_of_japan_tours
If you plan to visit Japan and would like me to organize a private tour for you, drop me a message. I organize tours not only in Tokyo but also in Kamakura, Yokohama, Nikko and more.
ABOUT THE SPIRIT OF JAPAN TOURS:
In Japanese, the character WA (和) means harmony and equilibrium. The concept of WA can be observed in every aspect of life in Japan: from the way society functions to the harmonious way the elements of a Japanese garden are combined and the elegant, precise movements of a master performing a tea ceremony – all of that is WA and all aim to achieve perfect harmony.
At Spirit of Japan Tours we are dedicated to help you experience the spirit of WA on a deep and transformational level. Our carefully crafted tours incorporate the best of Japan’s irresistible charm: its ancient history and traditions, awe-inspiring natural beauty and its unique blend of spirituality, based on Zen and native Shinto practices. They are a joyful creation that will enhance your sense well-being and enjoyment of life and help you discover your own inner WA – the place where you are in perfect harmony with your own self and the world.