Yoshino
吉野町
Things to Do in and Around Yoshino
Yoshino is located in one of Japan's leading mountainous areas and includes parts of the World Heritage Site "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." Yoshinoyama, where about 30,000 cherry trees bloom in spring, is known as "Japan's best cherry blossom spot." Additionally, it boasts abundant tourism resources where nature and culture blend, such as Mount Ōmine, a sacred site for Shugendō, and Totsukawa Onsen, a historic hot spring area.
Where is Yoshino?
Located in the southeastern part of Nara Prefecture, it belongs to Yoshino District. To the north, it borders the Nara Basin, which spreads across the central part of Nara Prefecture. To the east, it is adjacent to Mie Prefecture, and to the south, it borders Wakayama Prefecture. The western side is near the border with Osaka Prefecture, making it easily accessible from the central Kinki (Kansai) region.
Yoshino Town is situated in a mountainous area centered around Mount Yoshino, with elevations ranging from about 200 meters to over 1,000 meters. Approximately 96% of the town's area is covered by forests, many of which are artificial forests known as "Yoshino Forestry."
Geographically, it is located in the northern part of the Kii Mountain Range. The Yoshino River (Kino River) flows through the town and empties into the Pacific Ocean via Wakayama Prefecture. Surrounding areas include Sakurai City and Kashihara City to the north, Higashiyoshino Village to the east, Kawakami Village to the south, and Oyodo Town to the west.
Getting Around
Access to Yoshino Town in Nara Prefecture is mainly convenient by train and bus. The nearest station is "Yoshino Station" on the Kintetsu Yoshino Line, which can be accessed in about 1 hour and 30 minutes by express from "Osaka Abenobashi Station" in Osaka, and about 1 hour from Nara Station. If using JR, transfer to a local bus from "Gojo Station" on the JR Wakayama Line, which takes about 40 minutes.
During the tourist season (especially during the cherry blossom season), special trains are also operated, improving access. From Yoshino Station, a ropeway and mountain bus operate to the tourist spots of Yoshinoyama, supporting movement in the mountainous area.
Within the town, local buses connect major tourist destinations, but since the number of services is limited, it is necessary to check the timetable in advance. Additionally, rental bicycles are available, allowing you to tour the tourist spots while feeling the nature. Access by car is about 30 minutes from the "Gojo IC" on the Keinawa Expressway, but during the tourist season, parking lots can be crowded, so the use of public transportation is recommended.
Loading map...
About Yoshino
Part of the World Heritage "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range"
Nara Prefecture's Yoshino Town is an important component of the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range," which was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Particularly, Mount Yoshino is registered as "Yoshino and Omine," and its rich nature and historical structures are internationally recognized.
Japan's Most Famous Cherry Blossom Spot
Mount Yoshino is nationally famous as "Japan's most famous cherry blossom spot." About 30,000 Yamazakura cherry trees color the entire mountain, blooming in four areas called Shimo-senbon, Naka-senbon, Kami-senbon, and Oku-senbon. This magnificent cherry blossom scenery is referred to as "Ichimoku-senbon," and every spring, it attracts many tourists as a representative cherry blossom viewing spot in Japan.
Holy Site of Shugendo
Yoshino Town has long played an important role as a holy site of Shugendo (mountain asceticism). As a base of Shugendo opened by En no Gyoja, many practitioners have historically trained here. Important temples and shrines related to Shugendo, such as Kinpusen-ji Temple and Yoshino Mikumari Shrine, are scattered throughout the area.
History of the Southern Court
Yoshino Town is historically significant as the base of the Southern Court during the Nanboku-cho period (1336-1392). Emperor Go-Daigo fled to Yoshino and established the Southern Court, and for about 60 years, the conflict between the Northern and Southern Courts continued. Yoshino retains historical sites that convey the history of the Southern Court, such as the "Mausoleum of Emperor Go-Daigo" and "Zao-do Hall of Kinpusen-ji Temple."
Yoshino Kudzu
Yoshino Kudzu is known as Japan's finest kudzu powder and is a traditional specialty of Yoshino Town with a history of about 1,300 years. Carefully manufactured from high-quality kudzu roots, its high transparency and purity have earned it the nickname "white jewel." It is an indispensable part of Japanese food culture, used in summer kudzu noodles and winter kudzu soup, regardless of the season.
Yoshino Cedar
Yoshino Town is also famous as a production area of high-quality Yoshino cedar. Yoshino forestry has established a unique planting and cultivation method called "Yoshino-style forestry" since the Edo period, as a pioneer of sustainable forest management. By repeating dense planting and thinning, high-quality timber with tightly packed growth rings is produced, valued as an essential material for traditional Japanese architecture.
Yoshinoyama Hanayama Festival
This is a representative festival of Mount Yoshino held every April during the cherry blossom season. The procession of Zao Gongen from Kinpusen-ji Temple takes place, and the sight of children in vivid costumes shooting flower arrows is a fantastical and beautiful scene that captivates many tourists.
Oni Fire Festival
This traditional event is held on the second Saturday of February every year at Kinpusen-ji Temple. The sight of practitioners running down the mountain with torches in hand is known as a fantastical scene emerging in the dark night. This festival is rooted in the region as an event to ward off evil spirits and pray for health and safety.
Inheritance and Innovation of Traditional Crafts
In Yoshino Town, while inheriting the manufacturing techniques of traditional kudzu products and wooden crafts, new product development is also being carried out to suit modern lifestyles. Innovative efforts by young craftsmen are breathing new life into traditional industries.
Yoshino
Discover stories and insights about Yoshino
