Sakura light up at Hirano Jinja

Kagaya-san asked me if I wanted to join them for a sakura light-up outing in Hirano Jinja about two weeks ago. Since I had seen Hirano Jinja in the day time and was awed by the sakura trees, I thought I should also visit this shrine at night.



The tall, numerous sakura trees tower over the people and stalls, covering the sky. If you look up, you can only see the blossoms. Carefully positioned lights gave the trees a pinkish-orange-ish glow.



Dozens of stalls were set up during this light-up festival, mostly selling food but some were also selling toys and games for children. Plenty of tables and seatings were available for the groups of people who decided to hanami under the night sakuras. The air smelled of grilled smoke. This is an activity enjoyed by everyone - families, teenagers and even businessmen and women in suits.



There was even a performance by a flutist and a harpist on the shrine's main stage. I remembered when I went there last year, in the afternoon, they had a small orchestra playing on the stage as well.



The place is beautiful at night. As with most of the shrines here, they have beautiful lanterns adorning the gates, walkways and so on. I love the deep yellow glow of the lanterns.



This was the entrance to the garden which was lighted up by lanterns designed by children.



Here is a sample of a lantern and another was in the first photograph. They were positioned throughout the garden.



Hmm...maybe I should try a night hanami next year....