Mount Yoshino

While Mount Yoshino is renowned as the best cherry blossom spot in Japan, the rich natural environment offers beautiful sights in all four seasons. After the cherry blossom season, hydrangeas bloom in the summer, and the fresh greenery of the mountain offers a great opportunity for forest bathing. The autumn turns the mountain scarlet, and you can enjoy hiking as well as visit temples and shrines. In the winter, the pure white snowscape creates a hushed, regal atmosphere.

In the spring, the cherry blossoms of Mount Yoshino bloom gradually from the foothills, from Shimosenbon to Nakasenbon, Kamisenbon and Okusenbon, beautifully coloring the entire area in pink. The sight has been loved by poets since ancient times and is mentioned in countless verses included in poetry collections from over 1,000 years ago. The cherry blossoms of Mount Yoshino still attract many today, but it might be a privilege of modern people to be able to enjoy seeing the flowers illuminated at night, creating a mysterious atmosphere different from the day.

In contrast to the delicate cherry blossom shades in the spring, Mount Yoshino in the fall is brushed in blazing red, yellow and orange, as the cherry blossom trees as well as maple leaves turn colors to create a splendid scenery. Visitors can enjoy superb views of the foliage from the ropeway, in addition to the illumination event at night. Every year from September to November, nearby shrines and temples celebrate the autumn season with grand festivals, so hiking is highly recommended during this time as well. Illumination events are held at three locations: around the Shimosenbon tourist parking lot, the Niomon Gate of Kinpusen-ji Temple and the Nakasenbon Ogino Valley bus terminal.