Arashiyama Hanatōro

Overview

The Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatoro was a nighttime illumination event held across the Saga-Arashiyama district in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City. It was characterized by its atmospheric combination of "light" from traditional paper lanterns called roji-andon and "flowers" from ikebana arrangements, which cast a magical glow over famous spots like the Bamboo Grove Path and Togetsukyo Bridge. This project was initiated in fiscal year 2002 by the Kyoto Hanatoro Promotion Council with the goals of attracting visitors during the off-season and promoting nighttime and overnight tourism.

The event ended in fiscal year 2021 after its 20th anniversary, together with the Higashiyama Hanatoro. Starting in fiscal year 2022, the council launched the Hanatoro Lighting Support Project, which lends andon lanterns and lighting equipment to local groups and private businesses to support their own nighttime illumination events. At its peak, the Arashiyama Hanatoro recorded a maximum attendance of 1.578 million visitors, while the Higashiyama Hanatoro reached 1.374 million.

History and Origin

The Kyoto Hanatoro Promotion Council was seeking new tourism resources to attract visitors during the winter off-season and to smooth out the seasonal fluctuations in tourist numbers that Kyoto faced. The council focused on Kyoto's traditional culture of "light" and began developing a project themed around illumination in fiscal year 2002. The aim was to revitalize Kyoto's nighttime tourism and increase the number of overnight guests.

The first event, the Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatoro, started in March 2003 in the Higashiyama district around Kiyomizudera Temple and Yasaka Shrine. The combination of roji-andon lights and ikebana arrangements along the walking paths was very well received. Following this success, the Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatoro was added in December 2005. In Arashiyama, the natural scenery and historical sites, including the bamboo grove, Togetsukyo Bridge, and surrounding temples, were further enhanced by the illumination.

Both Hanatoro events attracted large crowds each year and successfully reduced the seasonal gaps in tourist numbers. Moreover, these events inspired private businesses across Kyoto Prefecture to organize their own independent nighttime illumination events, contributing to the overall revitalization of nighttime tourism. However, in fiscal year 2021, both the Arashiyama and Higashiyama Hanatoro concluded after reaching their 20-year milestone.

Kyoto Prefecture and the Kyoto City Tourism Association explained the reason for ending the events: the original aims of attracting visitors in the off-season and promoting overnight tourism had been met, with seasonal gaps in visitor numbers narrowing and privately run illumination events taking root, and the decision was made at the 20-year milestone.

Even after their conclusion, the techniques and equipment developed for the Hanatoro have been passed down to the local community through the Hanatoro Lighting Support Project. By lending andon lanterns and lighting equipment, the project enables local groups and private businesses to organize their own illumination events. In this way, the know-how cultivated through the Hanatoro is being inherited by new nighttime events that continue to illuminate Kyoto.

Highlights

The Path of Light and Flowers The walking path was decorated with roji-andon lanterns that cast warm, Japanese-style shadows, and large-scale ikebana flower arrangements. The lanterns used LED bulbs donated by Rohm Co., Ltd., creating a gentle, inviting glow. Walking this path allowed visitors to experience the world of In Praise of Shadows (a classic essay on Japanese aesthetics by Junichiro Tanizaki) in a tangible way.

Illumination of the Bamboo Grove Path The bamboo grove path from Nonomiya Shrine to the Okochi Sanso Garden was lit up in a fantastical manner. The bamboo swayed in the wind, causing the shadows of the lights to flicker, creating a mysterious space completely different from its daytime appearance. This display captivated many domestic and international tourists and was a frequently featured spot on social media.

Illumination around Togetsukyo Bridge Togetsukyo Bridge itself, along with the foothills behind it and the waterfront of the Katsura River, was illuminated. The silhouette of the bridge reflected on the water surface, creating a majestic and beautiful nighttime landscape. The sight of the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge emerging from the darkness left a deep impression on visitors.

Illumination of Ogura Pond Ogura Pond, located along the path from Okochi Sanso Garden to Jojakkoji Temple, was softly lit. The trees illuminated by the light were reflected on the pond's surface, creating an incredibly fantastical scene. The interplay of light and water in the silence evoked a poetic beauty.

Ikebana Promenade large-scale ikebana works were displayed along the Path of Light and Flowers. The works were changed in two periods, allowing visitors to enjoy different floral expressions each time they visited. This was a unique art form that fused traditional Japanese flower arranging with modern illumination.

Special Night Visits and Illuminations Temples, shrines, and cultural facilities such as Jojakkoji Temple, Nonomiya Shrine, Tenryuji Temple, Hogonin Temple, Horinji Temple, and Rakushisha were specially opened at night or had their gardens and buildings illuminated. These historic structures and gardens, normally inaccessible at night, were bathed in light and exuded a solemn atmosphere. These special openings were a major attraction of the Hanatoro.

Event Information and Access

• Event Period: Typically held for about 10 days from early to mid-December (e.g., December 10 to December 19). Please note that this event has ended as of fiscal year 2021. For the latest schedule and availability, please check the official website.
• Lighting Hours: From 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
• Location: The Saga-Arashiyama district, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City. The area spans from Arashiyama Nakanojima Park, across Togetsukyo Bridge, through the Tenryuji Temple area, along the Bamboo Grove Path and the Sagano walking path, and up to Nisonin Temple and surrounding temples and shrines.
• Admission: Free for the walking paths. However, special admission fees may have been required for temples and other facilities offering special nighttime visits.
• Access: About a 10-minute walk from JR Sagano Line "Saga-Arashiyama Station." About a 10-minute walk from Randen (Keifuku Electric Railroad) "Arashiyama Station." About a 15-minute walk from Hankyu Railway "Arashiyama Station."
• Organizer: Kyoto Hanatoro Promotion Council.

Surrounding Area

The Saga-Arashiyama area has long been cherished by aristocrats and literary figures for its scenic beauty. During the Heian period, it was the setting for parts of The Tale of Genji, and many poets sang of its landscapes. Today, historic temples and shrines such as Tenryuji Temple, Nonomiya Shrine, and Jojakkoji Temple are scattered throughout the area, maintaining beautiful scenery that harmonizes with the seasons. The Bamboo Grove Path is a world-famous tourist spot, bustling with visitors during the day.

Arashiyama is also an area that stretches across the Katsura River, with Togetsukyo Bridge as its symbol. The view of the Arashiyama mountain range and the river's flow from the bridge changes with each season, offering different beauties: cherry blossoms in spring and colorful leaves in autumn. The surrounding area is also home to many long-established Japanese confectionery shops, yuba (tofu skin) restaurants, and matcha (green tea) dessert shops, allowing visitors to enjoy local cuisine alongside sightseeing.

Even after the end of Hanatoro, new nighttime events such as the "Arashiyama Tsukitouro" (Moon Lantern Path) have emerged in this area. In October 2025, the Arashiyama Tsukitouro, an event inspired by the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter (the story of Princess Kaguya), was held. This fantastical event featured a path of bamboo lanterns stretching about one kilometer through the bamboo grove. In this way, the culture of light cultivated by Hanatoro continues to take root in the community in new forms.

Related Information

1. Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatoro: A nighttime illumination event in the Higashiyama district, also organized by the Kyoto Hanatoro Promotion Council. It ended at the same time as the Arashiyama Hanatoro.
2. Hanatoro Lighting Support Project: A project launched in fiscal year 2022. It lends andon lanterns and lighting equipment previously used in the Hanatoro events to local groups and private businesses to support their own nighttime illumination events.
3. Rohm Co., Ltd.: A company that donated the LED bulbs used in the Hanatoro events. They supported the warm lighting of the Path of Light and Flowers.
4. Ikebana Promenade: An exhibition of large-scale ikebana works displayed within the venue, a feature shared by both the Higashiyama and Arashiyama events.
5. Arashiyama Tsukitouro: A nighttime event held in Saga-Arashiyama after the Hanatoro ended, featuring illuminations such as the bamboo grove path. Check the organizer official announcements for the latest information.
6. Kyoto Hanatoro Promotion Council: The body that operated the Higashiyama and Arashiyama events and served as the contact point for the project.

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