Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatoro (path with flowers and lanterns) (京都・東山花灯路)
Kyoto Higashiyama Hana Toro refers to a touristic event to herald the arrival of early spring in the middle of March, that about 2400 lanterns, which are made by Kiyomizu ceramics (traditional handicrafts in Kyoto), Kitayamasugi round cedar wood, Kyomei bamboo, stone art and metal art, are lit on the narrow path for about 4.6 km from Shoren-in Temple to Kiyomizu-dera Temple at the foot of Higashiyama mountain range of Kyoto to enjoy an evening walk.
Summary
Though Kyoto at night have been known by some people such as local people and hotel guests, different from the daytime with relatively high number of tourists, a narrow path in and around Higashiyama had never been a place to walk except downtown areas, partly because of the limit of opening hours of most temples and shrines. This event, having started since 2003, is held only for 10 days, but has been well established as an event where you can enjoy the impression and atmosphere of Kyoto at night, and attracts more than a million people each year.
Higashiyama in the early spring is enveloped by a fantastic atmosphere, briefly attracting people, who walk, while seeing some events and various lanterns illuminating faintly their feet on the path, starting from Jingumichi road and Shoren-in Temple in the north, via Chion-in Temple, Maruyama Park, Yasaka-jinja Shrine and Shinkomichi road, viewing Daiun-in Temple Gion-kaku (Kyoto), to Entoku-in, Kodai-ji Temple, Nene no Michi (The Path of Nene), Ichinenzaka slope, Ninenzaka slope, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Events
Samples in 2007
1. Lighting hours of the path of light and flowers (walking path from Shoren-in to Kiyomizu-dera Temple): 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
2. Ikebana (flower arrangement) Promenade
3. Bamboo light, River of profundity (Maruyama Park)
4. Contemporary Ikebana exhibits (Maruyama Park)
5. Academic city Kyoto, Traditional light exhibits (Maruyama Park)
6. Geisha town, Geisha parade, Rickshaw parade
7. Fire Patrol, Music team (around the Kiyomizu-dera Temple)
Areas with lanterns
Jingumichi road
Kachomichi road
Chioninmichi road (road of wisdom)
Maruyama Park
Shinkomichi road
Nene no Michi
Shimogawaramichi road
Yasakadori way
Ishibekoji alley
Ichinenzaka slope
Ninenzaka slope
Sanneizaka slope
Kiyomizuzaka slope
Chawanzaka slope, etc.
Lighting up (the temples and shrines below are lit up and have special admission during the event)
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Hokan-ji Temple (Yasaka pagoda)
Kodai-ji Temple
Entoku-in Temple
Yasaka-jinja Shrine
Chion-in Temple
Shoren-in Temple
Hosts
Kyoto Hanatoro Promotion Council
Kyoto Prefecture
Kyoto City
Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Kyoto City Tourist Association
Kyoto Convention Bureau
Kyoto Buddhist Organization
Access
By public transportation
Shoren-in Temple
About 10 minutes from Kyoto City Subway Tozai Line Higashiyama Station
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
About 10-minute walk from Kyoto City Bus and Keihan Bus Gojozaka Station
By car
Since parking places are crowded during the event, using public transportation is recommended.