Chrysanthemum Festival at Yushima Tenjin Shrine

The kiku (chrysanthemum) is not only the ‘imperial flower’ of Japan but it’s also one of the symbolic flowers of autumn. There are many festivals celebrating the flower in Tokyo. The 35th Chrysanthemum Matsuri of Yushima Tenjin (near Ueno Park) took place last November.

Above, when I arrived at the shrine, a very entertaining monkey performance was just starting.