Please note that the time suitable for viewing flowers is subject to change depending on various conditions.  

①Yoshino Mountainous Area (cherry blossoms)

One of the most famous locations for cherry blossoms in Japan. There are about 30,000 cherry trees (mostly wild white cherry trees). In the order of “Lower 1,000 Trees”, “Middle 1,000 Trees”, “Upper 1,000 Trees” and finally “Inner 1,000 Trees”, cherry blossoms bloom from lower to upper area of the mountain, giving a long period of viewing blossoms.

　Access: Take a ropeway at Kintetsu Yoshino Station
 　　　　　　for Yoshinoyama and walk ten minutes.
 　　　　　(Shuttle buses are also available from Kintetsu
　　　　　　Yoshino Station.)

    ※To get to Kintetsu Yoshino Station from Kintetsu
　　　Kyoto/Nara Station, change trains at Yamato Saidaiji
 　　　Station for Kashiharajingu-mae and at the terminal
　　　(Kashiharajingu-mae), take a Yoshino Line train.

　Contact: 0746-32-1007 (Mt. Yoshino Tourist Association)

②Nara Park (cherry blossoms)

While Nara Park is famous for deer, it is also a good place for viewing various kinds of cherry blossoms. Gorgeous cherry blossoms can be seen at the foot of Wakakusayama Hill, an area around Ukimido Pavilion as well as at nearby temples such as Kofukuji and Todaiji.

　　Good time for viewing flowers: Late March – late April

Access: A 5-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station

Contact: 0742-22-0375 (Nara Park Management Office)

③Heijo Palace Site (cherry blossoms)

Main events of the 1300th Anniversary of Nara Heijo-kyo Capital will be held here at Heijo Palace Site. Daigokuden (Imperial Audience Hall) stands at a corner of this expansive area of about 120 ha. The Hall is surrounded by about 1,000 cherry trees.  

　 Good time for viewing flowers: Late March – early April

Access: Walk 15 minutes east from Kintetsu
 　　　　　　　Yamato Saidaiji Station

Contact: 0742-22-3900 (Nara City Sightseeing Center)

④Kasuga Taisha Shrine (wisterias)

Wisterias in the main sanctuary of Kasuga Taisha Shrine are called “Sunazuri-no-fuji” (indicating that the flowers hang down to reach the sand on the ground). Violet wisterias beautifully contrast with the vermillion color of the shrine. Kasuga Taisha Shrine Man'yo Botanical Garden along the approach has also as many as 200 wisteria trees.

Good time for viewing flowers: Late April – early May

Access: Take a bus for Kasuga Taisha from JR/Kintetsu
 　　　　　　Nara Station and get off at the terminal.
 　　　　　　The shrine is close to the bus stop.

Contact: 0742-22-7788 (Kasuga Taisha Shrine)

⑤Hasedera Temple (cherry blossoms and peonies)

Also called “Flower Temple”, Hasedera Temple abounds with pretty flowers throughout the year. In spring, about 7,000 gorgeous peonies are in full bloom on both sides of the corridor. The peony festival is held during this season.

Cherry blossoms in this temple are also beautiful, represented by a weeping cherry tree which is more than 100 years old.

Good time for viewing flowers:

Cherry blossoms: late March – early April

Peonies: late April – early May

Access: A 15-minute walk from Kintetsu Hasedera Station

※To get to Hasedera Station from Kintetsu Kyoto/Nara
 　Station, change trains at Yamato Saidaiji Station for
 　Kashiharajingu-mae and change trains again at Yamato
 　Yagi Station for an Osaka Line train.

Contact: 0744-47-7001 (Hasedera Temple)

☆Useful Tip☆

A special exhibition will be held from March 1st (Mon.) to May 31st (Mon.) in Daikodo Hall of the temple, which is usually not open to the public. The exhibition includes one of the largest hanging scrolls (more than sixteen meters long) depicting the principal statue of eleven-faced Kannon.  

⑥Taimadera Temple (peonies)

This temple with spacious grounds is located at the foot of Mt. Nijo and contains a large number of cultural assets including two three-storied pagodas. The temple enjoys the most beautiful season when thousands of peonies planted in the gardens of Nakanobo, Saina-in and other temples are in full bloom.

Good time for viewing flowers: Late April – early May

Access: A 15-minute walk from Kintetsu Taimadera Station

※To get to Taimadera Station from Kintetsu Kyoto/Nara
 　　　Station, change trains at Yamato Saidaiji Station for
 　　　Kashiharajingu-mae and change trains again at the
 　　　terminal (Kashiharajingu-mae) for a Minami Osaka
　　　Line train.

Contact: 0745-48-2001 (Nakanobo, Taimadera Temple)

☆Useful Tip☆