As the Sakura at Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine approached their peak, the local city council lit them up in the evenings. Actually lighting up the Sakura trees is pretty common all over Japan especially in famous Parks, Shrines, Temples or Castles. People gather for parties under the Sakura know as “Hanami” (or cherry blossom viewing). In some of the more crowed cities (not Nagaokakyo), some companies send one of their junior employees to save a spot for the company party from early on in the day. It was also a chance to see a lot other photographers out in force to capture the light up!