Yozakura, Hanami special night illumination in Kyoto

According to an old Japanese custom called yozakura, during the hanami celebrations the cherry trees are beautifully illuminated at night time. The lighting of cherry trees was originally done by wood burning lanterns, but of course, today there are electric lights carefully disguised as traditional chōchin paper lanterns.

In some cases of especially spectacular trees, a sophisticated lighting is installed to create a magical atmosphere, as in this photo of the old Gion Shidare Sakura, in the Maruyama Park, Kyoto.