Mt. Takagi Observatory

The Mt. Takagi Observatory, located about 10 minutes up a mountain path from the World Heritage Site Yoshino Mikumari Shrine in the Okusenbon area of Mount Yoshino, the highest elevation in Yoshino, offers a panoramic view of Mount Yoshino and the nearby peaks of Mount Kongō and Mount Katsuragi. Known historically as the site where Prince Moriyoshi based his operations during the Battle of Genko against the Kamakura shogunate, this spot captivates hikers and tourists alike.

From the observatory located at an altitude of about 700 meters, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Yoshino Mountain and the towering peaks of Mount Kongou and Mount Katsuragi, delighting hikers and tourists alike. In spring, cherry blossoms planted in front of the observatory bloom, while in autumn, the paths are blanketed in vivid red foliage. The observatory also features a spacious covered rest area with numerous benches, making it a convenient spot for lunch or a break.

From Yoshinoyama Station on the Yoshino-Omine Cable, it is about 4 km to the observatory. It takes about 80 minutes to hike up, but using the bus can significantly shorten this time to about 20 minutes to Okusenbon entrance, and from there it's just a 15-minute descent to the observatory. It's recommended to use the bus stop in front of the observatory for the descent, as buses run infrequently, about once per hour.