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Mount Yoshino (or Yoshinoyama 吉野山)is the most famous site for viewing cherry blossom in Japan. It is part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range which has been designated as a World Heritage Site. “Senbon”, meaning 1,000 trees, has been used to describe the abundance of cherry trees in sight at different areas of the mountain, from the lower level called Shimo-senbon (下千本)at around 250 meters, middle level Naka-senbon (中千本)at around 400 meters, upper level Kami-senbon (上千本)at 600 meters, to the top level Oku-senbon (奧千本)at around 800 meters. The variance of altitude offers an extended period of cherry blossom viewing starting early April. If you start early, you may visit 3 (lower, middle and upper “senbon”) out of 4 cherry blossom areas in Mount Yoshino in one day, including some hikes. Plus a quick visit to a couple of shrines. Of course if you drive, you may always stop over more places but you may miss some of the hiking paths which offer magnificent viewing spots.

First built in 1580, Koriyama Castle was home to Junkei Tsutsui, a feudal lord who overcame many rising local samurais and united Yamato province. In 1585, Koriyama domain (and the castle) was succeeded by Hidenaga Toyotomi, a little brother of Hideyoshi Toyotomi (one of the three greatest Sengoku Period commanders), who made Koriyama a even more prosperous town. Like many other castles, those were the glorious days. Koriyama castle was destroyed during the Meiji Period and part of it was restored in 1980. Today, Koriyama castle is a popular ruin and a park for the locals. If you want to avoid the regular tour group places for cherry blossom in Nara, the ruins of Koriyama Castle is a good option.

A lovely place with lots of old temples and deers, Nara is a popular tourist destination particularly during spring and autumn. One of the top cherry blossom spots is the spacious Nara Park near Toraji main hall. It takes about 20 minutes on foot from Nara JR station or you may take a bus from the Nara Toyoko-Inn by the JR station. Nara Park is a spacious park with 1,200 cherry trees with a big lawn in the middle and small hills in the landscape, making it a beautiful place with lots of breathing space. There are over a thousand wild deers inhabiting in Nara Park. They are considered “the holy messenger of god” and are designated as a national treasure. Once you arrive the park area near Todaji, you will see deers every where, particularly around the entrance of Todaji where tourists would buy crackers to feed them.

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