Yoshino
Yoshino
4
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An attractive village built on the side of a remote Mount Yoshino is a popular cherry blossom viewing area.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
32 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
13
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3
Poor
2
Terrible
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hfot2 🌸🍁🌸
Vermont7,622 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
Getting to Yoshino from Nara was a fussy business but it was all accomplished smoothly.
We visited for sakura, and expected mobs on the mountain, but we encountered mobs on the train before we even got there. Leaving Nara early helped, but Yoshino was crowded when we arrived.
In order to make the most of our JR passes, and thereby save money (about twenty US dollars) we took JR as far as possible. That meant going to Takada, changing trains for Yoshinoguchi, then picking up a Kintetsu train to Yoshino itself. There was a two minute transfer from one line to the other at Yoshinoguchi. We left the JR train in an absolute mob of frantic day trippers, many kitted out in hiking gear with backpacks. We were swept along down some down-and-under stairs, herded by a station man with a lighted baton into going that way, then up a set of steps and directly onto the Kintetsu train for the last leg.
When everyone piled off at Yoshino, a very high percentage of the JR people crowded up to the two windows at Fare Adjustment: clearly it’s a standard thing to arrive without a ticket. In fact just as we approached we saw a station man opening a temporary window beside the others, and we joined the just-materializing queue and were dealt with in seconds whereas most people were stuck in long lines at the proper booths.
Once we exited, we were on an open plaza in front of the station. There were toilets off to the left which were quite busy but emptied out in a few minutes after most of the train crowd departed. We could not find an information office for maps in English. We got a somewhat sketchy map at the station but nothing in English.
We checked our tour books and learned that the tourist office is up in Yoshino Town above the station. The entrance for the ropeway was straight ahead. Many people were hurrying by for the 15 minute walk up the hill. There was a small line at the ropeway which cost ¥360 per person.
We had hoped to find the TIC mentioned by Lonely Planet up at the top.The directions did not help since they said it was just beyond the main temple and it was not. We found a town office tucked away and they directed us to the tourist office across the lawn. They had no English staff, but they were able to produce a map with English which, unfortunately, was not that great. We wish we had printed one of the maps we saw online.
We visited on April 9. The sakura were blooming on all four levels. There was great hustle and bustle setting up for the festival which was to begin the next day. There were crowds of people on the day and we figured that the next four days would be even more packed with tourists.
We visited for sakura, and expected mobs on the mountain, but we encountered mobs on the train before we even got there. Leaving Nara early helped, but Yoshino was crowded when we arrived.
In order to make the most of our JR passes, and thereby save money (about twenty US dollars) we took JR as far as possible. That meant going to Takada, changing trains for Yoshinoguchi, then picking up a Kintetsu train to Yoshino itself. There was a two minute transfer from one line to the other at Yoshinoguchi. We left the JR train in an absolute mob of frantic day trippers, many kitted out in hiking gear with backpacks. We were swept along down some down-and-under stairs, herded by a station man with a lighted baton into going that way, then up a set of steps and directly onto the Kintetsu train for the last leg.
When everyone piled off at Yoshino, a very high percentage of the JR people crowded up to the two windows at Fare Adjustment: clearly it’s a standard thing to arrive without a ticket. In fact just as we approached we saw a station man opening a temporary window beside the others, and we joined the just-materializing queue and were dealt with in seconds whereas most people were stuck in long lines at the proper booths.
Once we exited, we were on an open plaza in front of the station. There were toilets off to the left which were quite busy but emptied out in a few minutes after most of the train crowd departed. We could not find an information office for maps in English. We got a somewhat sketchy map at the station but nothing in English.
We checked our tour books and learned that the tourist office is up in Yoshino Town above the station. The entrance for the ropeway was straight ahead. Many people were hurrying by for the 15 minute walk up the hill. There was a small line at the ropeway which cost ¥360 per person.
We had hoped to find the TIC mentioned by Lonely Planet up at the top.The directions did not help since they said it was just beyond the main temple and it was not. We found a town office tucked away and they directed us to the tourist office across the lawn. They had no English staff, but they were able to produce a map with English which, unfortunately, was not that great. We wish we had printed one of the maps we saw online.
We visited on April 9. The sakura were blooming on all four levels. There was great hustle and bustle setting up for the festival which was to begin the next day. There were crowds of people on the day and we figured that the next four days would be even more packed with tourists.
Written 16 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jaylowe
Hong Kong, China949 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
The flowers open a bit early this year and most of them were wiped out by the rainstorm on 6th April. We were there on 10th April 2013. The flowers were mostly gone in Shitasenbon (lower thousand-tree) and Nakasenbon (middle thousand-tree), whereas trees in Kamisenbon (upper thousand-tree) and Okusenbon (inner thousand-tree) are still in full bloom. In my opinion, the Okusenbon isn't worth the strenuous hike as there are just, say 30 cherry trees there... Definitely not a thousand tree as advertised. To me, the best viewing spot is Hanayagura viewpoint and the viewpoint outside Yoshimizu shrine.
I suggest taking the bus up to Nakasenbon and hike up to Hanayagura (for about 30 minutes on paved road). Then walk back to Nakasenbon and walk all the way downhill to Shitasenbon (if there are still flowers), stopping by Yoshimizu on the way. We even did a Nichikaeri onsen session with great mountain view along the way. Totally enjoyed it.
Please note that there isn't any shop or vending machine from Hanayagura up. So if you want to trek to Okusenbon, bring water and pack some snack.
I suggest taking the bus up to Nakasenbon and hike up to Hanayagura (for about 30 minutes on paved road). Then walk back to Nakasenbon and walk all the way downhill to Shitasenbon (if there are still flowers), stopping by Yoshimizu on the way. We even did a Nichikaeri onsen session with great mountain view along the way. Totally enjoyed it.
Please note that there isn't any shop or vending machine from Hanayagura up. So if you want to trek to Okusenbon, bring water and pack some snack.
Written 20 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sdin3269
173 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
After exiting the train station at Yoshino mountain there are bus and cable car to take you up to the mountain, But my advice is to take the bus not cable car as the cable car will stop at the lower part meanwhile the bus will take your right to the down, So if you are taking cable car you have to walk up way which is very tiring, We are there during cherry blossom the view is marvelous. Food is expensive up there.
Thwn qwe visited Chikurinin Garden with a fee of 300y per person. The garden is very impresive with a small central pond surrounded by sakura which were in full bloom when we visited on April 3.
Photography for sakura are numerous either in the vicinity or overlooking the valley..
Follow the path through the garden and walk up a small hillside for some views from a nice hut,
Thwn qwe visited Chikurinin Garden with a fee of 300y per person. The garden is very impresive with a small central pond surrounded by sakura which were in full bloom when we visited on April 3.
Photography for sakura are numerous either in the vicinity or overlooking the valley..
Follow the path through the garden and walk up a small hillside for some views from a nice hut,
Written 9 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julia T
Terengganu92 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
Visit here early April, many visitor and trekker visit here to enjoy beautiful and colorful cherry blossom. We walk all the way from Yoshino station up to the top to enjoy the view and pass through the village and temple to enjoy the view and local food. There are shuttle bus from Yoshino station to Naka Senbon and cost ¥360. From Osaka take Kintetsu Railway by normal express around 90 minutes.
Written 11 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sillypiggys
Sydney, Australia1,757 contributions
Jan 2016 • Family
We visited in January (outside of the cherry blossom festivals). It was cold and snowed and we were probably the only tourist on Mt Inari. We loved it!! The walk was all along the road and it was an easy walk up and down the mountains slopes. The round trip was about 2.5 - 3 hours with short stops to take photos or take in the views. We also saw another UNESCO designated site - Kinpusenji Temple which is a must see and is the second biggest wooden structure next to Nara's Todaiji Temple.
Written 23 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Septimuslow
Shanghai, China150 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
If you would like to view the best Cherry Blossom in Japan, this is the correct spot. Although is tiring hiking the mountain, you will be rewarded with many beautiful scene.
Written 9 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ailbhe S
Dublin, Ireland45 contributions
Apr 2016
The walk up the mountain is beautiful, lots of nice viewpoints and breathtaking views. Bring water and be prepared to walk! it is quite steep in parts (along roads)
Written 18 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Any chance of seeing cherry blossom next week in Yoshino ?
Written 23 March 2017
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