When is Arashiyama Hanatoro 2026?

Arashiyama Hanatoro runs from 8 to 17 December 2026. The lanterns begin to light around 5pm, and the most atmospheric window is roughly 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

Is Arashiyama Hanatoro free?

Most of the illuminated route is free to walk. Tenryu-ji temple garden opens for special night viewing during the event and costs approximately 1,000 yen as of 2026, and some smaller venues along the route may charge separately.

How do I get to Arashiyama Hanatoro from Kyoto Station?

Take the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station, about 12 minutes. The Hankyu Arashiyama Line from Osaka ends at Arashiyama Station near Togetsukyo Bridge. City buses also run but are often delayed in the evening.

How long does the Hanatoro walk take and what should I wear?

Walking the full circuit takes approximately 90 minutes at a comfortable pace. Evenings in Arashiyama in December sit at around 4 to 8°C, so bring a winter coat, scarf and warm footwear.

When does the Arashiyama light up in 2026 and is the illumination worth it?

The Arashiyama illumination runs 8 to 17 December 2026, with lanterns lit from around 5pm. It is worth it if you want a quieter, softer light-up than the large LED shows elsewhere in Japan, and most of the route is free to walk.

8–17 December 2026

Arashiyama Hanatoro 2026: Bamboo Grove Illumination and Lantern Light Festival

Name: Arashiyama Hanatoro 2026: Bamboo Grove Illumination and Lantern Light Festival
Start: 2026-12-08
End: 2026-12-17
Location: Kyoto

Kyoto

Arashiyama Hanatoro night illumination, 8–17 Dec 2026. Bamboo grove and paths lit with ikebana lanterns. Free to walk; Tenryu-ji charges entry.

Event details

Date: 8–17 December 2026
Location: Kyoto

Arashiyama Hanatoro is a ten-day winter illumination held each December in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district, typically running from 8 to 17 December. The name translates roughly as “flower lantern road”, and the event transforms the area’s bamboo groves, riverside paths, and temple approaches with thousands of ikebana flower arrangements displayed in lit lanterns. It is one of two Hanatoro events in Kyoto’s calendar, the other being the spring Higashiyama edition in March. The winter version is smaller and quieter, which is precisely what makes it worth attending.

What to Expect

The illumination covers the main Arashiyama walking routes: the path from Togetsukyo Bridge up through Bamboo Grove toward Nonomiya Shrine, the riverside walk along the Oi River, and the approach to Jojakko-ji and Nison-in temples on the hillside above the grove. Paper lanterns and candle lights line the paths, and ikebana arrangements from local flower schools are placed at intervals throughout the route.

Walking the full circuit takes approximately 90 minutes at a comfortable pace. The light is soft and warm rather than the harsh LED spectacle seen at commercial illumination events elsewhere in Japan, which gives Hanatoro a distinctly atmospheric quality.

Most of the route is free to walk. Tenryu-ji temple garden opens for special night viewing during the event (entry approximately 1,000 yen as of 2026), and some smaller venues along the route may charge separately. Check the official Arashiyama Tourism Association website for the current venue list before visiting.

Getting There

From Kyoto Station, take the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station (12 minutes). Alternatively, the Hankyu Arashiyama Line connects from Osaka and terminates at Arashiyama Station near the bridge. City buses run from central Kyoto to the Arashiyama bus stop, but expect delays during the evening illumination period.

Arrive from 5pm when the lanterns begin to light. The most atmospheric window is 5:30pm to 7:30pm, after which the crowds thin but the temperature drops sharply. Arashiyama in December sits at around 4-8°C in the evenings; a proper winter coat, scarf, and warm footwear are essential.

Practical Tips

This is a genuinely popular event for both domestic and foreign visitors, but crowds are manageable compared to cherry blossom or autumn foliage season. Weeknight visits are considerably less crowded than weekends. Restaurants and cafes in the area close relatively early; plan dinner in Kyoto’s city centre rather than hoping for a table in Arashiyama after 8pm. The event is weather-dependent; heavy rain reduces visibility and makes the stone paths slippery.

Planning a trip around this festival? Browse guided tours and activities in Kyoto on GetYourGuide - popular experiences around festival season fill up fast, so book ahead.

Arashiyama Illumination 2026: Light-Up Times and How to Plan Your Evening

Many visitors search for the “Arashiyama light up” or “night illumination” without realising it is the same event as Hanatoro. The 2026 illumination runs 8 to 17 December, and the lanterns switch on around 5pm each evening. Plan to arrive by 5:15pm so you can walk the bamboo grove while the first lanterns glow and the crowds are still light.

A simple evening plan: take the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station, walk the bamboo grove and Nonomiya Shrine path first, then continue to Togetsukyo Bridge and the Oi River walk. If you want to enter the Tenryu-ji night opening, go there early in the evening because queues build after 6pm. Leave about 90 minutes for the whole circuit, and allow extra time on Friday and Saturday nights.

For daytime sightseeing before the lights come on, see our Arashiyama guide for the bamboo grove, monkey park and temples, and our Kyoto things to do page for the rest of the city. Dates and venue lists are set by the organisers each year, so confirm the final programme closer to December.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is Arashiyama Hanatoro 2026?: Arashiyama Hanatoro runs from 8 to 17 December 2026. The lanterns begin to light around 5pm, and the most atmospheric window is roughly 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
Is Arashiyama Hanatoro free?: Most of the illuminated route is free to walk. Tenryu-ji temple garden opens for special night viewing during the event and costs approximately 1,000 yen as of 2026, and some smaller venues along the route may charge separately.
How do I get to Arashiyama Hanatoro from Kyoto Station?: Take the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station, about 12 minutes. The Hankyu Arashiyama Line from Osaka ends at Arashiyama Station near Togetsukyo Bridge. City buses also run but are often delayed in the evening.
How long does the Hanatoro walk take and what should I wear?: Walking the full circuit takes approximately 90 minutes at a comfortable pace. Evenings in Arashiyama in December sit at around 4 to 8°C, so bring a winter coat, scarf and warm footwear.
When does the Arashiyama light up in 2026 and is the illumination worth it?: The Arashiyama illumination runs 8 to 17 December 2026, with lanterns lit from around 5pm. It is worth it if you want a quieter, softer light-up than the large LED shows elsewhere in Japan, and most of the route is free to walk.