Nara's Mount Yoshino: A Sea of 30,000 Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom!

Mount Yoshino in Kansai is the perfect place for cherry blossom viewing! Known for its 200 varieties and 30,000 cherry trees, the mountain is divided into four areas: Shimo Senbon, Naka Senbon, Kami Senbon, and Oku Senbon. Each area has a different blooming period, and as you walk up the mountain, you can enjoy the blossoms, visit famous ancient temples, and test your hiking endurance. The most convenient way to get to Mount Yoshino is by car. Alternatively, you can take the Kintetsu Limited Express from Kyoto Station to Kashihara Jingu-mae, then transfer to the Yoshino Line, which takes about 2 hours. If you're coming from Osaka Abenobashi, you can take the Kintetsu Limited Express directly to Yoshino, which takes about 1.5 hours. Mount Yoshino is home to several World Heritage sites, one of which is Yoshimizu Shrine, a prime cherry blossom viewing spot. The shrine is famous for its 'Hitome Senbon' view, meaning 'a thousand trees at a glance,' symbolizing the breathtaking sight of the cherry blossom sea that makes you feel like you could live ten years longer.