Kyoto Arashiyama Lantern Street

Flower Lantern Path through the bamboo grove of Sagano

Takako Sakamoto Oct 29, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>I'd never seen so many people flocked together on the pathway through the bamboo grove of Sagano at night</p>

<p>Lit-up lanterns placed regularly alongside the pathway</p>

<p>There are flower arrangements displayed here and there on the path</p>

<p>Sign post standing at the forked road</p>

<p>Persimmon peeping in the dark above the closed gate</p>

<p>Even a novice can tell how tough it is to create this flower arrangement</p>

<p>Take a break with sweet Japanese cakes after a long walk in the crowd</p>

<p>When seen in blue, the bamboo looks quite different</p>

<p>The pathway through the bamboo grove and the stone-paved streets in Higashiyama are filled with Japanese atmosphere</p>

For about ten days in late December each year, the 'Arashiyama Flower Lantern Festival' (Hana-toro) is held along the pathway of the Bamboo Grove of Sagano.

This year in 2014, it's scheduled to be held from December 12 to 21. This event, including the 'Higashiyama Flower Lantern Festival' in March, is held annually at two locations in Kyoto. During the daytime, the silent bamboo grove appears in fresh green, but once illuminated at night, the entire grove will be filled with a mysterious atmosphere. If you can ignore the crowds there, you'll feel as though you are lost in the old story of 'The Tale of the Bamboo-Cutter'.

Hordes of people flock to these two events held in Kyoto, the old capital city of Japan. Be careful not to stumble or trip, since the pathway is narrow and dark.

Kyoto Flower Lantern Street Festival 1. Kyoto Arashiyama Lantern Street 2. Kyoto Higashiyama Lantern Street

More info

Find out more about Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...