August is a high season. Japanease summer is usually hot and humid, so people go to resorts to evacuate from heat. But strangely it was cool and we had lots of rain this year.
Many people take their summer holiday around August 15. Because August 13, 14 and 15 are OBON.
OBON is one of the biggest events as well as New Years Day. In this period, it is said that our family's late souls come back to our house. People welcom their ancestors' souls and treat them. It is one of the Buddist rituals. Many people have family reunions at their parents' home.

In my OBON holiday, I went to my parents' home in Kagoshima prefecture and enjoyed our family reunion. During that time, we had an overnight trip to Miyazaki prefecture. Our party had 12 members, my parents, my elder sister, my younger sister and her family(5) and my family(4)! It's really a big party!
We went to Takachiho-kyo(Takachiho Ravine). On the way to the Takachiho-kyo we could see some old bridges made of stones. Those bridges were helped farmers to improve their life in such rural places. And to my surprise there were some brilliant public workers there.
After gorgeous Japanese dinner, we enjoyed OKAGURA( one of the oldest style dances in Japan) at the Takachiho Shrine at night. OKAGURA is a ritual dance to dedicate to the Japanese gods and goddes who are said to create Japan. But the dance we saw called YOKAGURA was performed for tourists by villagers.
.Amadoiwadono shrine is one of the interesting places for me. In that shrine, we heard some myths and saw mysterious places. Taking pictures were prohibited there because of the religious reason. However I could take some photes while we went short hiking.
Don't miss to see these photos! Thank you!