May 6, 2015 - 1 min read

Yokohama's Gumyoji Night Sakura

The best of spring after dark

By Steve Morton

Community writer

This year's festival featured many new light displays, transforming the usually dull Ooka River into a colorful spectacle

To add to the festive vibe many stalls were set up, offering a vast array of different food options

Eating late night snacks under cherry trees has become part of the seasonal trend which is no longer confined only to daytime picnics in parks

A couple passes by a stall owner eager for some customers

The number of stalls increases as you walk down along the river away from Gumiyoji Station

As you navigate your way along the river some giant cherry trees will suddenly appear in front of you

The best part of this display can be seen leading up from Kiyomizu Bridge (close to Minami Oota Station on the Keikyu Line), which runs several hundred meters upstream to Gumiyoji Station

Although impressive during the daytime, the reflections of the cherry blossoms on the river look even more dramatic during the night

As you approach Gumiyoji Station the lights and reflections get even brighter

Looking out in the opposite direction from Idogaya Bridge

Falling raindrops compete with the colorful tones of several dozen lanterns reflecting off the river

The colors of the stalls in the background contrasting perfectly with the cherry blossoms in the foreground

Some white cherry blossoms clearly visible in the foreground with the blurred image of a stall owner located on the other side of the river

In reverse; this time peering out through some blurred cherry blossoms in foreground at another stall owner and customer on the other side of the river

The usually quiet residential neighborhood of Gumyoji really comes to life every spring from around the 28th March to 13th April as both locals and many people from all over Yokohama and beyond come to witness the annual Yozakura, (Nighttime Cherry Blossom Viewing).

Starting from Gumiyoji Station and running several hundred meters along the river, this year's festivities featured some impressive new light displays as well as boasting a number of special live performances.

With an abundance of food stalls serving a vast array of choices, this is a great place to grab a late night snack whilst wondering along the colorfully lit river.

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Steve Morton

By Steve Morton

Community writer

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