Arashiyama Hanatouro, Kyoto

Entire Togetsukyo Bridge Area Illuminated

Illuminating Togetsukyo Bridge, foothills and waterfront, a magnificently beautiful natural night scene is rendered.

During the wintertime, the Kyoto Arashiyama Hana Touro is the most celebrated festival by the Japanese. Here, locals will line the central river with 2,600 illuminated lanterns and large ikebana flower displays. A tour of the festival is available for those who want to learn more about this valued tradition. Moreover, in the spring time, visitors flock to the Kyoto Higashiyama Hana Touro, which is one of Kyoto's most popular festival. Residents will line the busy Higashoji Street with flowers and lanterns made from traditional Japanese materials as visitors take a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood. An English tour of the Higashiyama festival is also available to those who would like to participate in this famous event.

Getting to Arashimaya From Kyoto Stn.: Take Kyoto City bus #28 or Kyoto Bus #71, #72, #73, or take the JR Sagano Line to Saga Arashiyama Stn. From downtown: Take Kyoto City Bus #28 or #11 (#11 also can be caught from Shijo Kawaramachi), or take the Keifuku Arashiyama Line to Arashiyama Stn. (from Shijo Omiya Stn.).

Start this walk from Randen (Keifuku) Arashiyama Stn. The station is an attraction in itself. There are a number of shops selling traditional sweets and beverages as well as plenty of places to sit down and relax. If you are cold or weary, then the station's lovely open-air natural hot spring footbath is sure to soothe (entry is 150 yen, including towel; buy your ticket on the left side of the entry gates; open: 9:00-20:00; Tel: 075-873-2121; www.arashiyama-hanahoko.jp).

From:

http://www.kyotoguide.com/ver2/thismonth/hanatouro-arashiyama11.html