Mt. Yoshino : One of the best Cherry Blossom Viewing Site in Japan

Yoshinoyama (Mt.Yoshino) is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Japan. It is also called “Yoshino Sakura” or “Yoshino Cherry blossom”, and the entire mountain is registered as a World Heritage Site, "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountains." It is popular worldwide and it is crowded during the cherry-blossom viewing season, but it is also possible to enjoy sightseeing efficiently up to your ingenuity!

Best site to see cherry blossoms

Mt. Yoshino has a lot of cherry trees from Shimo-Senbon to Oku-Senbon. The recommended model courses, including the time of day to visit each area and access methods, are introduced. The cherry blossoms at night are also a must-see!
※Mt. Yoshino is divided to 4 areas. Shimo-Senbon (low), Naka-Senbon (middle), Kami-Senbon (upper), and Oku-Senbon (deep).


The best view of the Yoshinoyama cherry blossoms is the view from Hanayagura Observation Deck in the Kamisenbon area. However, the bus from Kintetsu Yoshino Station goes to Nakasenbon Park, and you need to transfer to Kamisenbon. During the day there are traffic restrictions and you cannot go by car.
Actually, if you have a car, it is recommended that you drive to Kamisenbon early in the morning on weekdays. The Hanayagura Observation Deck during cherry blossom season has a paid parking lot. However, be careful as you cannot move the car due to regulations unless you descend by 9:00 in the morning. This method cannot be used on weekends because traffic is restricted from 7 am.




The Hanayagura Observation Deck is spectacular with the naked eye, but it is true that the branches of the tree are a little intrusive for the purpose of photographing the cherry trees of Mt. Yoshino. Steep slopes and sharp curves continue below the observatory, so you can take photos from any place.

View point at Nakasenbon and Shimosenbon

Even you do not go Mt. Yoshino by car, You can enjoy Yoshinoyama's cherry blossom viewing at Nakasenbon and Shimosenbon. Take the temporary bus from Kintetsu Yoshino Station to Nakasenbon Park. During the cherry blossom viewing period, the bus arrives without interruption.
Naka-Senbon Park is located at the top of the Naka-Senbon area, where you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing and sightseeing while strolling downhill.


The most famous Senbonzakura (1,000 cherry trees) is a view from Yoshimizu Shrine. It is a superb view called "Hitome Senbon (one view for 1,000)", and you can see not only the middle cherry trees but also the upper one.
It is free to see “Hitome Senbon” at a glance, but there are also valuable artifacts from the Muromachi eras on display, so it is also recommended to pay a visit to Yoshimizu Shrine, a World Heritage Site!

Kinpu-Senji Temple

The cherry blossoms at Mt. Yoshino are also spectacular when you see Kinpu-senji Temple from in front of Yoshimizu Shrine. Yoshinoyama has many cherry blossoms because the principal image of the Kinpusen-ji Temple, Zao Gongen, is carved with cherry trees and believers plant saplings as sacred trees. Most of them are “Shiroyamazakura” cherry blossoms.


Zao Gongen is a secret Buddha and cannot be viewed. However, during Niomon gate’s repair, as a special occasion, a special viewing is held only from the cherry blossom season to the Golden Week for a limited period of 10 years.

Try Yoshino's Specialty - Excellent Japanese Sweets-

You will be hungry when you go sightseeing in the early morning. There are many nice restaurants in Nakasenbon where the view of cherry blossoms is also excellent. Japanese sweets are also a specialty, and the recommended one is Kato Ryokan's “Kuzumochi”. A specialty sweets of a ryokan, commercialized with the use of Hon-kuzu powder, is a special product of Yoshinoyama
Kato Ryokan and its cafés are located in Shimo-Senbon, but they are also found in Naka-Senbon and are frequently seen. Because it is in a paper cup, you can easily enjoy it while walking between busy sightseeing!

《Access to Mt. Yoshino》

There are various ways to access Yoshino, but here are some recommended directions. If you want to enjoy the cherry blossoms from the beginning of your journey, this is it! Go on a “Sakura Liner” departure from Osaka Abenobashi Station and you will feel excited from the beginning of your travel !
The ticket release will start one month before the departure date, so if you decide on your itinerary, purchase it early.  If you want to avoid the congestion, it is recommended to take an express train early in the morning.

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If you go to Mt.Yoshino from Tokyo, use the Kintetsu Limited Express via Kyoto. Cars have traffic restrictions from late March, so trains are recommended Limited express tickets can be purchased from major travel agencies as well as limited express tickets at Kintetsu Station.