Photo= The cherry blossoms in its garden will be illuminated for the first time since its opening at Kyoto International Conference Center (2015, courtesy of the center)

To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Kyoto International Conference Center in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto will have free admission to its garden on the nights of March 29 and 30, in which the cherry blossoms will be illuminated for the first time. Visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms in the "Kaiyu" style, or strolling, garden, accompanied by live classical music.

Opened as Japan's first international conference hall in May 1966, the center marks its semicentennial this year.

The strolling garden, which incorporates the scenery of Mount Hiei as its background, is usually open exclusively to center users visiting for an international conference or other purposes. To familiarize local people and citizens with the facility, the center has held a daytime cherry blossom appreciation event during this season every year. This will be the first time for the cherry blossoms to be illuminated in the garden. The garden has never been lit up before, even for center users.

Approximately 150 Someiyoshino cherry trees, or Prunus yedoensis, planted mainly on the east side of the center will be illuminated from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The faint illumination will light up not only the blossoms, but also the walking paths to create a dreamy atmosphere. An ensemble concert by students at Kyoto City University of Arts will add grace to the illumination. The garden is also open to the public for free during the day, starting from 10:00 a.m.

Staff at the International Conference Center stated, "We hope that this will be an opportunity to rediscover the beauty of the garden and feel closer to the place where the Kyoto Protocol was adopted."

There will be also free observation-tour inside the conference center three times on each of the days. "The Grill," the on-site restaurant will serve a special menu only for those two days. For more information, call the International Conference Center at 075-705-1218.