Nature in Nara
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Nara
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Nara
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Where to Go Yoshino
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- Though the most famous time of year to visit Yoshino is during cherry blossom season, it’s still worth the short journey from Osaka or Kyoto any time of year. Thanks to its world heritage listed temples and shrines and the foliage filled hiking trails it’s the perfect peaceful getaway from the metropolis madness of Japan’s bigger cities. Naka Senbon on Yoshinoyama Mount Yoshino or Yoshinoyama for the locals, is one of the most stunning cherry blossom viewing locations in the whole country. With over 30,000 trees sprinkled across the mountain, March and April sees the city engulfed in rivers of pink. There is a ropeway that ascends the mountain, however during peak season the lines for the famous ropeway can get very long, so scaling the mountain by foot is an alternative way to explore the site. Separated into three distinct areas, your priority should be the middle section, Naka Senbon. This is where many of the accommodations, restaurants and sites are located. As well as wandering around, spend some time in Naka Senbon Park arguably one of the greatest hanami parks in the world. The top section of the mountain is Oku Senbon, home to the fewest trees, but often the blossoms here bloom a week later than most, so it’s a great place to catch the last glimpse of the fleeting hanami season. Naka Senbon on Yoshinoyama Kinpusen-ji Temple Located around 400 meters from the cable car station is the breathtaking Kinpusen-ji Temple. This temple is home to Zao-do Hall, Japan’s second largest wooden building. Kinpusen-ji is the head temple of Shugendo, a sect of Buddhism that focuses on the ideas of mountain worship. If you get there early enough, you can witness otsutome, a traditional morning worship service which features taiko drumming and horagai Japanese conch shell blowing. It’s open for visitors for a 500 yen fee between 8:30am and 4:30pm daily, with last admission being 4pm. Kinpusen-ji Temple Noten Daijin Ryuoin Temple Making the trek through Yoshino’s foliage filled pathways you’ll uncover Noten Daijin Ryuoin Temple. The 450 stair descent to the temple is an easy stroll through the city’s lushest pockets, but be warned getting back will take a little more exertion. The journey is worth it however, as the temple also hosts stunning Buddhist fire rituals. When you visit you may be offered a boiled egg, a token of stamina and good health. Locals stop by this quiet temple to pray for good academic fortune and the prevention of sickness. Noten Daijin Ryuoin Temple Sakuramotobou Situated a 25 minute walk from the upper station of the Yoshino ropeway is Sakuramotobou temple. Founded over 1,350 years ago by Emperor Tenmu after he experienced a vivid dream of a beautiful cherry tree at full bloom in the middle of winter. Like many of the temples in Yoshino, Sakuramotobou draws its power and spirituality from the mountain. Framed by blossoms in March and April, the temple also houses a large weeping cherry tree, which is arguably the main attraction of the location site. At the Sakuramotobou temple priests help visitors partake in a number of rituals rich with meaning and symbolism including a Mizugyo Ritual water cleansing ritual and firewalking. Sakuramotobou Chikurin-in Gunpoen Ryokan In old days, Chikurin-in Gunpoen Ryokan used to be a temple called Chinzan-ji, home to Buddhist Monks who practiced the discipline of asceticism in the mountains of Yoshino. Today it’s a traditional ryokan, which has housed a variety of guests including the former Emperor of Japan, Emperor (Hirohito) Showa (1926-1989). With open air baths surrounded by 33,000 square meters of garden it's an incredibly tranquil getaway in this peaceful and spiritual town. To get to the ryokan you can take a private shuttle bus direct from Yoshino station, but a reservation is required. Chikurin-in Gunpoen Ryokan ©NAVITIME JAPAN. Travel Info Check out our travel tips to make your trip better!
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- Nara
- 14. July. 2017
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Cherry Blossoms in Yoshino
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- If you arrive at Yoshino station during spring, you’ll be immediately swept up by the soft pink of the town’s famous blossoms. Framing the railway tracks, the sakura trees that greet you upon arrival are just the beginning of what’s set to be the greatest cherry blossom experience in the world. Beginning in mid March and running through until mid April the town is awash in a sea of pink. Cherry Blossoms in Yoshino Looking like a cotton candy city, Yoshino is regarded by most as the number one cherry blossom location in Japan. Mt. Yoshino (Yoshinoyama), Yoshino’s mountain alone features over 30,000 trees. The trees aren’t the only pink you’ll experience while in Yoshino, many local women dress up in colorful kimonos to stroll through the scenic streets while traditional vendors sell special pink seasonal sweets like hanami dango (three colored dango) and sakura mochi, sweet red bean paste filled rice cakes covered in cherry blossom leaves. Cherry Blossoms in Yoshino What makes Yoshino even more special is the diversity of blossoms flooding the streets. With over 200 different varieties of sakura trees blooming throughout the city and surrounding areas, there’s a much higher probability you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the seasonally temperamental trees. If you want to avoid the tourist stampede, head out before 10:00am, which is when the tour buses start to show up. Cherry Blossoms in Yoshino ©NAVITIME JAPAN. Travel Info Check out our travel tips to make your trip better!
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- Nara
- 12. July. 2017
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Recommended spots
111 results
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- Mt. Wakakusayama (Mt. Mikasa)
- Mountain
- Nara Pref. Narashi Kasuganochou Little Women
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- Mt. Yoshino
- Mountain
- Nara Pref. Yoshinogunyoshinochou Yoshinoyama
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- Mt. Shigi
- Mountain
- Nara Pref. Ikomagunhegurichou Shigisan
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- Soni Highland
- Plateau
- Nara Pref. Udagunsonimura Taroji
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- Byobuiwa Rock
- Other Natural Terrain
- Nara Pref. Udagunsonimura Nagano
Nara Main Areas
With a reputation almost as stellar as that of Kyoto, Nara is a must-visit for those searching for the remains of “traditional Japan.” The largely green Nara city holds the majority of the prefecture’s treasures, such as the iconic Todai-ji Temple, in which a 15-meter tall Great Buddha sits, and Nara Park, where deer flock to befriend passersby. While mountains are by no means hard to come by in this area, for hiking with a reward, head to the Kii Mountains’ Yoshino district in spring, when the hillsides put on an impressive display of white and pink cherry blossoms.
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