"Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro 2009" started on December 11 around Togetsukyo Bridge, covering the Saga Arashiyama region of Kyoto with light. Tourists enjoyed the stroll while watching the illumination along the streets and bridges filled with dim lights.

After 5:00p.m., a total of 2,600 "Andon," or paper-covered open air lanterns, were lit up in the area from Togetsukyo Bridge to Tenryu-ji Temple, including alleys through bamboo groves, dimly illuminating the whole area. Tourists focused their cameras at the lit up Togetsukyo Bridge area, taking commemorative photos with mountains still tinged with yellow and red leaves as a background.

Arashiyama Hanatouro originally started through the efforts of Hanatouro Promotion Council, made up by Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and others, to bring tourists to Kyoto in winter, and is being held for the fifth time this year. The light up is from 5:00p.m. to 8:30p.m. until December 20.

As part of the event, a live concert by the five-member group "Shinsengumi Lien" will be held at Daikakuji Temple on December 14 from 5:30p.m. One thousand numbered tickets will be distributed that day from 4:00p.m. For more information about the concert and other events, please call the council at 075-212-8173.