The city of Motosu in Gifu Prefecture is planning to light up its famous Usuzumi Zakura cherry tree, said to be more than 1,500 years old, during the "hanami" season using electricity from a small hydroelectric generator.
Municipal officials plan to set up four 80-watt lights equipped with LED bulbs to illuminate the tree. The electricity will be generated by a stream in a nearby valley that flows into the park's pond, turning the waterwheel along the way.
The design will be completed this year and the construction costs of around ¥8 million will be included in the initial budget outline for the next fiscal year.