Yoshino

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Yoshino is the 'furusato'(home town) of sakura('cherry blossom'). Sakura of Yoshino is not usual Someiyoshino, most of which were planted after Meiji/Taisho era by people, but 'yamazakura'( mountain cherry), and their sakura is natural. From Heian period, the beauty of sakura have been loved and many poems are left, and sakura noble people in Heian period(794-1185) loved was these Yoshino's sakura. Yoshino mountain is covered with 30000 sakura trees, and sakura trees dyed the mountain pink with their flowers from lower part to higher part in two weeks. Each parts are said 'Shimo Senbon'( the lowest part),'Naka Senbon'( middle part), 'Kami Senbon'( the highest part) and 'Oku Senbon'( the farest part).

I knew it, and wanted to visit to see, but at a time, we heard that TOO many people visit during sakura blooming season, and Yoshino mountain is too crowded to enjoy sakura. We heard many people say their visit was only a burden, and only saw, incredibly, many people. However, sakura of Yoshino mountain is in the class of its own, and we think we must visit there and let our customers know how it is. Till the night before I visted, I still hesitated because of the fear of a traffic jam.

In this year, I already saw lots of sakura blossom - is it really special to visit Yoshino?

However, I heard the flowers were just full bloom, and in addition, daimyo procession seemed to be acted. There would not be another better day for visiting Yoshino.If I had better visit before die, this year may be the best occasion.

I set my alarm at 4:30 ( my usual wake up time), and decided to go. A car was not a choice. Visiting by car on Sunday ( during sakura season ) is said to be the worst. And I have been caught by that traffic jam when I went fishing more than 15 years ago. My goal was not Yoshino, but a lake near Yoshino, and my car was stuck in a jam deadly. I checked many blogs, and all said how the traffic jam was terrible, and abandoned visiting by car. My nearest station is Tondabayashi(Kintetsu Minama Osaka Line), and I woke up at 4:30( not too early, because its my usual wake up time), and take the first train at 5:46.I reached Yoshino station at 7:40. The train was not crowded yet, and I rode a cable car from that station imediately, and reached 'Shimo Senbon'. I was astonished to see there already were quite many visitors.

Main part of Yoshin sakura viewing the between the cable car station('Shimo Senbon')　to 'Yoshino Mikumari Jinja Shrine' ( 'Kami Senbon'). There is a causeway, where only a car can go. Besides the road, restaraunts, suvenior shops and ryokan stood, and upper part of the road goes among the mountain, and sakura flowers in the mountain can be seen. The road climbs, and it took about one hour by walk with taking pictures. Usually cars can go this road, but it became a pedestrian road on Saturaday and Sunday during sakura season.

YES! Sakura flower are beautiful. The higher I went, flowers became more beautiful. 'At around 'Kami Senbon' sakura was at full bloom, but sakura of 'Shimo Senbon' was ending. The specie of sakura is not one, and more than several species could be seen - yamazakura, 'shidare-zakura'(weeping cherry ), 'yae-zakura'( layered petal sakura), very white one( I don't the name) and so on. As guide book says, mountains are dyed pink shading partly, and the scene was magical. The weather is excellent, and petals flew as snow with slight wind. Many visitors were taking pictures.

There are two main temples - Kinpusenji Zaodo and Yoshino Mikumari Jinja Shrine.Kinpusenji temple is the temple of Shugendo, and it was built in 1592. Its building has exceptionally　dignified attitude. Building is giant, and we understand its oldness with seeing wooden pillars. Its very old and giant atmosphere has different magical atmosphere, which can not be seen in Kyoto. I think Yoshino is worth visit to see Kinpusenji Zaodo, if it is not sakura flower season.

Mimakuri Jinja Temple is not so big, but was built in Momoyama Era, and its calm atmosphere is also worth to visit. Old weeping cherry blossom was blooming, and this small and very old temple has wonderful charm.

Chikurin'in was very old, and it has fabulous Japanese garden, which was made by Sen-no-Rikyu for Hideyoshi Toyotomi.This garden is said to be the one of 'Three best Yamato Area Garden'. When I visted, weeping cherry blossom was blooming and a pond was covered with sakura petals. Entrance fee is 300 yen, but it is worth to pay. Chikurin-in is doing business as ryokan, and visitors can stay and take supper.

In the Yoshino, there exist some other 'shukubo', a kind of ryokan(hotel), whose buildings are old shrines or temples. I don't stay, but staying in 'shukubo' must be fun!

When I visited, daimyo procession event was held. Yamabushi( Shugendo monk), monk with gorgeous kesa and happi men marched from Chikurinin to

As a whole, visiting Yoshino was exciting experience for me.

Kinpusenji Zaodo

Yoshino Mikumari Jinja Shrine

At the garden of Chikurin-in

• Kinpusenji Zaodo - Kinpusenji Zaodo [PAGE]
• Chikurin-in - Chikurin-in [PAGE]
• Yoshino Mamikuri Jinja - Yoshino Mamikuri Jinja [PAGE]

Map of Nara

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Original text is written by Ichiro 30th March 2009. You can read the original text in this frozen page Yoshino(Original) This site is hosted by ICHIROYA