Arashiyama Hanatouro
As the autumn tourist season gives way to December, you can experience a special illumination event called, "Arashiyama Hanatoro" at Arashiyama, one of Kyoto's most popular sightseeing areas. Here, hundreds of lanterns made of bamboo and ceramic line the evening streets and bamboo forest, illuminating your path and creating a magical atmosphere. Nearby temples and shrines also hold their own special illumination events.
Arashiyama Hanatoro features a variety of other events and exhibitions, including an extensive display of Ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement, a small concert with guitars and the ancient Shaku-hachi flute, and juggling.
Arashiyama Hanatoro
Place: Arashiyama Region Dates: From December 11th to 20st, 2010
Illumination: 17:00 - 20:30
Special night entrance, openings and illuminations
| Location | Hours | Admission Fee |
| Daikaku-ji Temple | 17:00-20:00 | 500 yen |
| Nison-in Temple | 17:00-20:00 | 500 yen |
| Rakushisha | 17:00-20:00 | 200 yen |
| Jojakko-ji Temple | 17:00-20:00 | 400 yen |
| Nonomiya-jinja Shrine | Sunset-20:00 | Free |
| Okouchi Sanso | 17:00-20:00 | 1,000 yen |
| Tenryu-ji Temple | No night entrance | 500 yen |
Hogon-in Temple
(Tenryuji Subtemple) | 17:00-20:00 | 600 yen |
| Shigureden | 17:00-20:00
*Night Opening on Dec. 8,9,15,16 | 800 yen |
| Horin-ji Temple | Sunset-20:00 | Free |
Special events
Enjoy an enchanted evening at Arashiyama Hanatoro. Over 5.2 kilometers of paths, bamboo forests, temples, and shrines are illuminated with open air lanterns. Flower arrangements, sculptures, outdoor exhibitions, and paper lanterns large and small
surround you as you stroll through the crisp air of December while the soft sounds of taiko drums and court music performed in intimate little concerts filter through the background. Monuments and panel displays inscribed with poems and haiku line the walkways, and when you are ready for a short respite, slip into a quiet lounge for a cup of hot tea.
Flower Arrangement Promenade
In cooperation with the Kyoto Ikebana Association, exquisite flower arrangements will be on display at 8 locations along the light and blossoms pathway.
Shuttle Bus Service and Free Taxi Service
Visitors to Arashiyama Hanatoro will want to use either the shuttle bus or free taxi service. The shuttle bus runs from Daikaku-ji Temple on one end to City Bus Arashiyama-Tenryuji-mae stop and Arashiyama train station (same location) on the other. The shuttle bus leaves from City Bus Arashiyama-Tenryuji-mae stop and Arashiyama (Train) Station to Daikaku-ji Temple at the following times: First bus departs at 4:37 pm and then every twenty minutes from 5:07 pm until the last bus at 9:07 pm. Return trips from Daikaku-ji Temple to City Bus Arashiyama-Tenryuji-mae stop and Keifuku Arashiyama (Train) Station begin at 4:30 pm and then run every twenty minutes from 5 pm until the last bus at 9 pm.
You can also take advantage of the free taxi service. This service runs every 15 minutes from 4:30pm until 8pm and goes nonstop between Daikaku-ji and Nison-in Temples.
