Sakura in Yoshino

Yoshino is located in Nara Prefecture. It is Japan’s most famous cherry blossom spot. It features over 30,000 cherry trees planted along the slopes which visitors can admire as they walk along the roads that lead up the mountain. The mountain is also home to the Yoshimizu Shrine, with its collection of ceramics, paintings and armor. Nearby are the massive, wooden Kinpusen-ji Temple and centuries-old Nyoirin-ji Temple. The area is also renowned for its natural hot springs.

It is said that the first trees were planted along its slopes more than 1300 years ago, and today the mountain is covered by approximately 30,000 cherry trees of many different varieties, especially of the Yamazakura variety.

Yoshino or Yoshinoyama is a north-facing mountain slope, so be ready for some steep climbs. It is divided into four areas. Shimo-Senbon, literally the lower thousand trees, is located at the base of the mountain and comes into bloom first. Naka Senbon is in the middle of the mountain with about 1000 trees. Kami Senbon and Oku Senbon are located closer to the top of the mountain and generally less crowded during cherry blossom season than the other sites. Kami Senbon and Oku Senbon are the last areas to bloom, so you can still see flowers here in late-April. Visitors can enjoy the cherry trees as they ascend the mountain, passing Yoshino’s town with its various temples, shrines, boutiques and restaurants. Enjoying hanami (flower viewing) in the parks and viewpoints along the way.

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Jeff was born in a south suburb of Chicago named South Holland and lived in Japan for 14 years. He now lives in Commerce Township, Michigan with his wife Yoshimi, son Shota, and daughter Mina. He enjoys playing with his kids, volunteering with his daughter’s marching band, cycling and training and teaching Aikido.

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