InsideJapan News Network

Over 50 million tourists visited the Japanese city of Kyoto last year, new figures have revealed.

According to Daily Yomiuri Online, 50.21 million visitors travelled to the area last year, an increase of 1.5 per cent on 2007 levels, with a rising number of students and winter tourists accounting for the surge.

This means the Kyoto municipal government has reached its visitor target two years ahead of schedule, having announced in 2000 that it intended to attract 50 million tourists to the city by 2010.

It has launched a number of projects in a bid to boost off-peak traveller numbers, including the Hanatoro illuminations, which are held in the Arashiyama and Higashiyama districts.

Last month, Kyoto hosted the 21st annual Heian-jingu shrine Weeping Cherry Blossom Concert, which began on April 9th and lasted for four days.

The event, which took place at the Heian-jingu Shrine, used live music and lighting to celebrate the beauty of the cherry blossom trees.

Written by Graham MacPherson


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