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Yoshino Station, the main arrival point for travelers, falls on the Kintetsu Line making it an accessible location for those coming from Nara, Kyoto or Osaka. The limited express train from Osaka's Abenobashi station takes just 75 minutes however, tickets can book up fast over the hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season. Alternatively, there is an express Kintetsu train on or those using JR lines from Nara can transfer at Kashiharajingu-mae station. We recommend making use of public transport as the few roads in Yoshino can be heavily condensed and parking fees can be pricey from March through to May. There are shuttle buses from Yoshino station to Naka Senbon run once to twice an hour and minibuses run from the Chikurin-in Temple to the upper blossoms in the Oku Senbon area.
![Getting Around in Yoshino]()
Getting Around in Yoshino
A mere three minute walk from Yoshino station is Senbonguchi station, the base of the famous Yoshino Ropeway. Being the oldest aerial ropeway in Japan, it was built primarily for users to enjoy the mountainous scenery from one of two cabins; Sakura (cherry blossom) cabin and Kaede (maple) cabin. In the spring, undoubtedly the height of tourist season in Yoshino, the ropeway departs every 15 minutes from 7:40 to 19:40 and will set you back 610 yen for a return ticket. If you would like to use the ropeway during peak season, it’s best to arrive early in the morning as the wait to ride the ropeway can get quite long, we arrived at midday and the wait was around two hours. Outside of spring season, the ropeway runs every 30 minutes and is limited to weekend operation in the winter season.
![Getting Around in Yoshino]()
Getting Around in Yoshino
The ropeway ride from Senbonguchi station to Yoshinoyama station boasts views stretching out for miles on end and possibly the best way to gaze at the 30,000 cherry blossom trees carpeting Yoshinoyama. Come rain or shine, cherry blossom viewers are not shy of queuing up to get a glimpse the pink slopes of Yoshinoyama from a ropeway cabin so if you are hasty to get started on exploring to the town a 20 minute climb is an advisable alternative. will get you from Yoshino station to Yoshinoyama station in just three minutes.
![Getting Around in Yoshino]()
Getting Around in Yoshino
Instead of using the bus or ropeway to get to the main town area, the most picturesque way to ascend to Yoshino town is by ambling up the mountain path, which will take around 30 minutes. The main town area is situated on the hill in between the Shimomachi and Kamimachi areas, the flattest and most populated of the four main areas in Yoshinoyama (Shimo Senbon, Naka Senbon, Kami Senbon and Oku Senbon). Most of Yoshino’s main attractions such as Kinpusen-ji temple and Yoshimizu Shrine are located in the Naka Senbon area and best accessed on foot. In fact the entire Yoshino area is a dream for hikers and walkers alike, with multiple World Heritage sites scattered along the slopes. For those seeking the best hanami spot, the Takagiyama Observation Deck in the Oku Senbon area is a pleasant forestry walk from Senbonguchi station.
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