The Higashiyama Hanatouro is an annual event held in the city of Kyoto, Japan. The first edition took place in March 2003, and since then it has become a very popular event for both tourists and local residents.
The event takes place in the Higashiyama district, one of the oldest and most traditional places in the city, and is held twice a year: once in the spring, usually in late March or early April, the event it coincides with the cherry blossom season, while in autumn it is celebrated during the change of color of the leaves of the trees.
The history of Higashiyama Hanatouro dates back to the ancient practice of placing paper lanterns at temples and shrines in Kyoto during the festival season, which dates back several centuries. In 2003, the city of Kyoto decided to combine this tradition with modern LED lighting technology, creating the Higashiyama Hanatouro event.
During the event, the temples, gardens, and streets of the Higashiyama district are illuminated with thousands of traditional paper lanterns and LED lights, creating a magical and mysterious atmosphere in which visitors can stroll and enjoy the beauty of the city at night. . The lanterns are carefully placed along the paths and in the most prominent places in the temples, creating patterns of light and shadow that enhance the beauty of the ancient buildings.
In addition to the lanterns, the event features food and drink stalls offering local specialties and Kyoto souvenirs, as well as traditional Japanese music and dance performances. The aim of the Higashiyama Hanatouro is to offer visitors a unique and memorable experience of Japanese culture and nighttime beauty, while promoting tourism in the city of Kyoto.
In short, the Higashiyama Hanatouro is an event held in Kyoto to showcase the beauty of the Higashiyama area in a unique way and to enrich the local culture. It is celebrated twice a year, in spring and autumn, coinciding with the blossoming of the cherry trees and the change of color of the leaves of the trees, respectively.
