Kyoto Higashiyama Illumination 2013

京都東山花灯路２０１３年

It is almost light-up season in Kyoto. Several times a year, in key places, the city of Kyoto sets up lighting to highlight temples, bamboo groves, streets.

It is a wonderful evening out.

And most of it is free.

From March 8 - 17, every evening from 6 - 9 pm, a large section of Higashiyama will be illuminated.

The routes will take in Nene no Michi (The Path of Nene), Maruyama Park, Kiyomizu Temple, Kodaiji Temple, and more.

If you are riding, it is best to ride to close to the route, park, stroll, then ride to another part of the illuminated area.

Kyoto Higashiyama Illumination Map



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Higashiyama Light Up Kyoto March 10 - 20

京都東山花灯路２０１２自転車で

Kyoto is lighting up once again.

The city sponsors illumination events in key areas at key times of the year.

Arashiyama and Higashiyama are the most popular areas, and fall and spring are the prime times of year.

The area around the Path of Nene will be lit up from March 10 - March 20, every night from 6 pm - 9:30 pm.

500 lanterns are placed in an area of Higashiyma stretching from Shorenji in the north, and taking in Maruyama Park, Yasaka Shrine, all the way up to Kiyomizu Temple.

And, to be very Kyoto about it - a masterful blend of old and new - the traditional lamps made from washi power use LED bulbs made by Rohm, a local company that is a powerhouse on the world stage of electronics.

After or before dinner or drinks, this is a magical stroll. Truly mysterious and beautiful.

For those cycling, definitely park and walk.

Information in Japanese.

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Higashiyama Kyoto at Night

東山の夜景

Many of Kyoto's best-known sites are located in the Higashiyama ("east mountain") area of the city.

This stretches from roughly Kiyomizu Temple up to Chionin and beyond.

It includes the divine areas Nene no Michi (The Path of Nene) and Ninenzaka, both of which are perfect for strolling.

On a bicycle, the area can be covered in a day with no trouble.

For riders starting at Kyoto Station, head up Kawaramachi or Karasuma, and turn right at Gojo Dori. Ride across the bridge and keep on going straight until you arrive at Higashi Oji Dori.

This will take you to Kiyomizu Temple via Chawan Zaka, the narrow route lined with shops that snakes its way up to the temple.

In places, it is best to get off and push - or park and walk - because of the crowds.

Or, better yet - ride it at night. You won't get into the temples, but you will have the roads and environs to yourself.

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Ishibei Koji Alley Kyoto

石塀小路京都

Ishibei-koji is a postcard perfect alley near Kodaiji Temple and the Path of Nene in the Higashiyama Area of Kyoto.

It snakes from the Path of Nene west through a neighborhood filled with ryotei (high end restaurants) and ryokan (traditional inns).

The alley is paved with elegant stones and is perhaps the only area of Kyoto where you can point and shoot in any direction and still go home with a beautiful image. No framing necessary here.

Ishibei-Koji connects Shimogawara-Dori and Kodaiji-Dori, and is often used as a location for period movies and television dramas set in Kyoto. It is easy to miss, but the lantern below denotes the entrance.

Until May 8th, the area near and around Kodaiji Temple (600 yen to enter the interior) is being lit up. It presents a mysterious and ethereal nightscape.

Thanks to the strong dip in number of visitors to Kyoto, we had the streets and grounds of Kodaiji almost to ourselves.


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Ishibei Koji