Hồ Chí Minh Higashiyama Hanatoro: The festival of lights leads you into a magical world

The Higashiyama Hanatoro Festival (東山花灯籠) is one of Japan’s long-standing traditional festivals, held annually in Kyoto. The festival takes place in the spring, usually in March or April when cherry blossoms bloom throughout the city.

The Higashiyama Hanatoro Festival began in 2003 to showcase Kyoto’s beauty in spring and attract tourists from all over. During the 10-day festival, the Higashiyama area is decorated with thousands of lanterns, creating a warm and romantic atmosphere.

During the festival, visitors can admire flower paintings and creative lantern artworks displayed on the streets. The ancient and traditional streets of Higashiyama, with their characteristic Kyoto architecture, are illuminated by colorful and impressive lanterns.

In addition to displaying beautiful artworks, the Higashiyama Hanatoro Festival also offers many interesting activities for visitors. These can include participating in Japanese folk games, enjoying Higashiyama’s local cuisine, or attending street performances.

This festival is not only an entertainment event but also an opportunity for visitors to learn more about Japanese culture and history and explore Kyoto’s unique features. If you visit Japan in spring, don’t miss the chance to participate in the Higashiyama Hanatoro Festival - one of the country’s most beautiful festivals.

The main activities of the festival usually take place in the evening from around 6 pm to 9 pm when the lanterns begin to light up. During this time, visitors can stroll along lantern-lit streets, admire historic architecture and enjoy local cuisine.