A trip to admire the cherry blossoms at Hasedera Temple, the temple of flowers, and Mount Yoshino, Japan's most famous cherry blossom spot

Purpose of the trip
Visit the cherry blossoms of Nara, Hasedera Temple, the flower-loving temple, and Mount Yoshino, Japan's most famous cherry blossom spot.

Day 1
Flight from Haneda to Osaka (Itami).
Take the monorail from Osaka Airport to Hotarugaike Station, then travel from Hotarugaike (Hankyu Takarazuka Station) to Osaka Umeda.
Take the Umeda Station (Midosuji Line) to Tennoji Station and then Hasedera Station. It's about a 15-20 minute walk from the station to Hasedera.
It's downhill on the way there and uphill on the way back.
There are no shops around Hasedera Station, but a 10-minute walk will take you to the approach to the temple, where you'll find inns, restaurants, and souvenir shops. The Hasedera area is famous for its kusamochi (grass mochi). Some stores sell freshly pounded and baked mochi, so you can buy and eat it right away.
We recommend Sohonpo Shirozakeya. They offer both hot-plate and raw varieties. Kusamochi is sold at multiple stores, so we recommend trying different varieties.
Visit Hasedera Temple.
Take the train from Hasedera Station to Nara Station. There are many hotels around Nara Station, and this time I stayed at the APA Hotel Nara.
It's near Kintetsu Nara Station, and there are restaurants and convenience stores in the area. I also ordered takeout persimmon leaf sushi and enjoyed it leisurely in my room.

Day 2
Take the train from Nara Station to Kintetsu Yoshino Station. It takes about an hour and 45 minutes. The Yoshinoyama Ropeway operates from Senbonguchi Station (in front of Kintetsu Yoshino Station) to Yoshinoyama Station (Shimosenbon). It's about a 20-minute walk.
Cherry blossoms bloom in abundance across a wide area of Mount Yoshino, from Shimosenbon to Okusenbon. There are also many restaurants and cafes scattered around.
Yoshino is also famous for kudzu, and Japanese sweets made with it are a specialty.
On the way back, take the train home.

Recommended Spots
Mount Yoshino
The view from Yoshimizu Shrine at Nakasenbon is a spectacular sight known as "Hitome Senbon," offering a panoramic view of not only Nakasenbon but also Kamisenbon.

Mount Yoshino's cherry blossoms are also spectacular from in front of Yoshimizu Shrine, overlooking Kinpusenji Temple. The view in the opposite direction from Hitome Senbon is also truly spectacular, as expected. Kinpusenji's principal image, "Zao Gongen," was carved from cherry wood, and believers planted seedlings as sacred trees, which explains the abundance of cherry blossoms on Mount Yoshino. Most of the cherry trees are of the Hakusan cherry variety.

Hasedera Temple

Hasedera Temple in Sakurai City is the head temple of the Buzan school of Shingon Buddhism. It enshrines the Eleven-Headed Kannon as its principal image and is a pilgrimage site for devotees as a temple of the 33 Kannon Temples of the Western Provinces. Nicknamed the "Temple of Flowers," the temple grounds are adorned with seasonal blossoms. The temple is also famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot, boasting a wide variety of cherry blossoms, including Somei Yoshino, mountain cherry, weeping cherry, winter cherry, Goiyo, Benishidare, and Nara double cherry. The weeping cherry trees at the site of Emperor Komyo's hermitage are also magnificent. Upon entering, you'll find a long corridor, known as the Nobororo, divided into three sections: upper, middle, and lower. The lower and middle corridors were rebuilt in 1889 and feature elegant Hase-style lanterns hanging from them. Hasedera Station is accessible by train.

Notes
It gets crowded during cherry blossom season. Allow plenty of time.
Mount Yoshino is large. Multiple bikes suitable for walking are essential.

Transportation
Trains are less frequent around Mount Yoshino and Hasedera. Check timetables frequently.

Accommodation
APA Hotel Kintetsu Nara Station
Nara is home to Kintetsu and JR stations, which are far apart. Kintetsu Nara has more shops like Miyake around the station, and is conveniently located within walking distance of tourist spots like Nara Park. It also offers single rooms for solo travelers, making it a great choice for solo travelers.

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