Seven Fabulous Cherry Blossom Spots, Accessible from Osaka by Train!

In addition to numerous shrines and temples that are World Heritage Sites and national treasures, the area overflows with natural beauty, including nearby Mount Yoshino. Besides the changing scenery of the seasons and the standard tourist attractions, Nara has lesser-known places like traditional townhouse cafes where visitors may casually enjoy Japanese culture and take pictures to share on social media. Part of Nara’s appeal lies in fewer tourists, compared to Kyoto, so it is easy to relax and unwind here.

One recommended way to use public transportation for sightseeing in Nara is the Kintetsu Railway Co., locally known as "Kintetsu." Conveniently covering all of the famous sightseeing areas of Nara, Kintestsu also offers many bargain tickets and plans for tourists. For example, depending on your travel plans, you can get a good deal and enjoy smooth travels using the "KINTETSU RAIL PASS 1 day" or "KINTETSU RAIL PASS 2 days". These are valid for unlimited rides (except for limited express trains) within designated zones in Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. Another alternative is the "KINTETSU RAIL PASS," including Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara as well as Ise-Shima in Mie Prefecture and Nagoya for five days of unlimited rides within designated zones. Be sure to confirm the information with Kintetsu before departing.

Dotted with designated national treasures and registered World Heritage Sites, many tourists, both domestic and overseas, visit Nara Park all year long.

Not only is Nara Park famous for its Great Buddha statue and wild deer, but it is also known as a cherry blossom spot, and many people visit in spring to view the flowers. With about 1700 cherry trees of different varieties planted in the large park, different kinds of blossoms can be enjoyed from the end of March until the late-blooming Yaezakura trees flower in early May. In particular, the small but elegant Nara-no-Yaezakura blossoms at Chisoku Temple, designated as a natural monument, are well worth a visit. The familiar Yoshino cherry trees, blooming around the hexagonal hall, are also a must-see.

There are no walls, fences, or gates, so visitors may enter from any direction to walk in the park, which charges no admission. About five minutes' walk from Kintetsu-Nara Station, the easy access of its location is also appealing.

Constructed in the early 7th century, Asuka Ishibutai Kofun is thought to be the tomb of an influential person. Called “Ishibutai”, the ruins are a heap of megaliths surrounded by about 60 cherry trees. Encircled in blooms during cherry blossom season, this is a spectacular sight.

One really must visit it to feel the harmony between the imposing presence of the megalithic tomb and the beauty of the cherry blossoms.

The combined appearance of canola flowers and cherry blossoms is another highlight. To reach this spot, take the Nara Kotsu Asuka tour bus from the east exit of Kintetsu Kashiharajingu-mae Station. Get off at Ishibutai bus stop and walk about 3 minutes.

Chogosonshi-ji Temple, built on the south side of Mount Shigi, is famous for the beautiful cherry blossoms visible nearby. Lined up alongside about 2000 stone lanterns, the cherry trees are a scene of overwhelming beauty when in full bloom.

At sunset, the stone lanterns are lit to illuminate the cherry blossoms for another exquisite scene. A few mercury-vapor lamps here and there lend a bit of elegance, and a gorgeous night view of Nara Basin can be glimpsed from the main temple.

Not only are there highlights to see around the grounds, it is also interesting to stay overnight in the visitors’ lodgings. Here, you can experience the life of monks and nuns. Even visitors who can’t stay at the lodgings can order Buddhist vegetarian cuisine or traditional Japanese kaiseki lunches for takeout.

Now in ruins, historical Koriyama castle was built over 400 years ago. About 800 cherry trees were planted all around the restored ruins, making the castle tower observatory a popular flower viewing spot with a view of all the cherry blossoms.

At night, visitors can enjoy viewing the cherry blossoms illuminated by about 600 bonbori lamps. The transience of the cherry blossoms and the enchanting lamp-lit castle ruins combine to create an ambience of subtle beauty.

With their large blooming range and long history, the cherry blossoms of Mount Yoshino are so famous that they immediately come to mind when thinking of Nara’s cherry trees. Over 30,000 cherry trees of about 200 varieties, mainly Shiro-Yamazakura, are clustered here. From ridge to ridge and valley to valley, the transient and beautiful mountain cherry blossoms cover the whole mountan in a stunning display. This is also called hitome-senbon, or “the glimpse of a thousand trees,” meaning a gorgeous landscape of a thousand trees that can be seen with one look.

Starting at the foot of the mountain and moving to the top, the flower buds open each year from late March through late April, so visitors can enjoy a long peak season. Doing some light hiking is a recommended way to enjoy the blossoms at their best.

Yoshino also produces the kudzu vine, and the starch taken from its roots is used to make the famous Yoshino “hon-kuzu”. Kuzumochi made from this rare and expensive ingredient is a delicious Japanese confection with an elegant sweetness and melting, jelly-like texture. It is just the kind of sweet to savor while gazing at cherry blossoms.

Kinpusen-ji, the symbol of Mount Yoshino, is the head temple of the Shugendo religious sect, a fusion of Buddhism and ancient Japanese mountain worship.

On the grounds of Kinpusen-ji, Zao Hall is the second-largest wooden building after the Great Buddha Hall at Todai-ji. It is also registered as a World Heritage Site.

In 1333, just before the former Yoshino Castle fell, legend has it that the lord of the castle held his last banquet in front of four cherry trees at the entrance of Zao Hall. Feel the grandeur of Zao Hall with the beauty of the famous cherry trees. The simple and modest beauty of the cherry trees on Mount Yoshino can also be glimpsed from the temple. Kinpusen-ji is a highly recommended place to experience the many faces and profound beauty of cherry blossoms.

Boasting beautiful flowers in every season, Nabana no Sato is Japan's largest flower theme park. While its large-scale light display is also famous, the cherry blossoms naturally take center stage in spring. In early March, about 300 Kawazu-zakura trees in the park begin blooming beautifully. With an early flowering season, they stay in bloom for about a month. Their large, vivid pink blossoms are a thing of beauty.

Planted around a central pond, the cherry trees lining the promenade encircling it form a tunnel of cherry blossoms in the spring. Following the Kawazu-zakura, the Yoshino variety of cherry trees bloom from late March to mid-April. About 270 trees are planted on the grounds and nearby. It is popular to watch them compete with the tulips and canola flowers blooming at the same time in a flower “beauty contest”.

For those using public transportation, the "KINTETSU RAIL PASS Plus" is highly recommended. This pass takes you directly by bus to Nabana no Sato from the nearest station, Kintetsu-Nagashima. It also offers a discount on admission to Nabana no Sato.