Photo= The boat proceeding under the illuminated cherry trees (Lake Biwa Canal, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto)

A test-ride for the night-time cherry blossom viewing boat ride, "Jikkokubune Boat Ride: Celebrate spring greenery and cherry blossoms" was held on Lake Biwa Canal, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, on March 26. Although the cherry blossoms have not yet bloomed, about 50 people involved in the event enjoyed gazing at the blossom buds that appeared faintly pink in the light of the illumination.

The night-time boat ride is in its fourth year this year. The boat takes approximately 25 minutes to ply the route between the Lake Biwa Canal Museum and Ebisugawa Dam, along which over 400 illuminated cherry trees can be enjoyed.

Yoshitaka Yamamoto, vice-chairman of the Planning Committee of Jikkokubune Boat Ride, said, "Cherry blossoms will soon burst into bloom. The best season will continue until early April. We would like to give a tremendous boost to the Lake Biwa Canal in cooperation with the tourist boat connecting Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture and Kyoto City, which will start its trial trip on March 28."

The night-time boats run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., from March 27 to April 12. The day-time boats will continue until May 6. The fare is 1,000 yen for adults. For more information, contact the Kyoto Tourist Industry Co-op at 080-6158-9703 (Japanese language inquiries only).