basic information

Yoshinoyama (Mount Yoshino) in Yoshino Town, Nara Prefecture, is Japan's most famous cherry blossom spot. Besides an estimated 30,000 cherry trees, the area also offers a rich history and several temples and shrines.

As the base of the pilgrimage trail to sacred Mount Omine, Yoshino has been a center of Shugendo mountain worship for many centuries. The remote town also served various historical personalities as a refuge, including Emperor Go-Daigo who established a competing second imperial court there in the 14th century.

Yoshinoyama is divided into four areas, the Shimo Senbon (lower 1000 trees) at the base of the mountain, Naka Senbon (middle 1000 trees), Kami Senbon (upper 1000 trees) and Oku Senbon (inner 1000 trees) at the top of the mountain.

Together with Mount Koya and Kumano, Yoshino was designated a cultural UNESO World Heritage Site in 2004, named the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range".

Attractions

Kinpusenji Temple (2) The most important temple of Yoshino. Yoshimizu Shrine (2) Temporary quarters of Emperor Go-Daigo. Cherry Blossoms (1) The cherry blossoms of Yoshinoyama. Chikurin-in (2) Temple ryokan with a beautiful garden. Mikumari Shrine (2) Shrine with an unusual architecture.

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Orientation

Access and Orientation How to get to and around in Yoshino. About transportation in Japan

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