Photo= The Takasegawa River is fantastically illuminated with blue LEDs (In front of the former Rissei Elementary School, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto)

The illumination to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Takasegawa River canal being dug started along the roughly three-kilometer-long Takasegawa River through Nakagyo and Shimogyo Wards. Blue and green LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and "Andon," or paper-covered open air lanterns, illuminate the whole area, creating a fantastic atmosphere.

In order for people to rediscover the river's value by connecting each region along the Takasegawa River through lights and provide an opportunity to consider town development for the next 400 years, this illumination project was planned by an executive committee consisting of local residents, Nakagyo Ward and companies. It is illuminated daily from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. along the river between Nijo-dori and Shichijo-dori Streets.

A total of 164 blue, green, and white LEDs that are environmentally friendly illuminate the river's surface and the trees between Nijo-dori and Shijo-dori Streets, and 132 lanterns are used between Gojo-dori and Shichijo-dori Streets. The Ichi-no-funairi area of the Takasegawa River is also lit up with an image of kaleidoscopes.

Yoshiya Nakayama, chairman of both the executive committee and the "Doda Takasegawa Hoshokai," or Doda Takasegawa preservation group, executive office in Nakagyo Ward said, "First of all, we want many people to know that we still have a beautiful river and to gain the opportunity to consider urban development utilizing this treasure."

The illumination will continue until September 23. "Projection Mapping," or an event projecting the flow of 400 years on the Takase River boats, will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., from September 5 to 7, in Kiyamachi-dori Nijo-sagaru, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto.