Wellcome to the HOSHINOYA MADE IN JAPAN Radio. Today I would like to talk about TOKYO TEMPLE MARKS SUMMER WITH LANTERN PLANT FAIR.

A traditional fair featuring Chinese lantern plants is underway in Tokyo's historic Asakusa district.

The Hozuki Fair has been held for more than 200 years at the Senso-ji temple to mark the arrival of summer.
Visitors bought potted plants with orange-red seedpods that look like paper lanterns.
It used to be said that adults and children could recover from illness if they swallowed one of the berries.

Visitor said
“I bought a plant so my grandchild will grow up healthy.”

Another visitor said
“I'll give this lantern plant to my grandmother. I want to thank her for everything.”

The market will be held until Monday. According to tradition, anyone who goes to the temple on this date can receive blessings worth 46,000 days of visits.