• Mount Yoshino in Yoshino-Kumano National Park is considered one of the best places to view cherry blossoms in Japan.
• There are more than 30,000 cherry blossom trees in the area, and some are believed to be around 1,300 years old.
• Travelers can also see shrines and temples, enjoy miles of hiking trails, and ride an aerial tramway.

Cherry blossom season in Japan is second to none. The country is renowned for its sakura trees, but what makes the experience so spectacular is the island’s deep love for the season—there’s even a special word for the art of enjoying cherry blossoms: hanami. Cherry blossom season is considered one of the busiest times to visit Japan, but (for better or worse) most travelers tend to stick to Tokyo and Kyoto when visiting. And they may be missing out on one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan: Mount Yoshino.

Mount Yoshino is located within Yoshino-Kumano National Park, about 55 miles southeast of Osaka, 70 miles south of Kyoto, and 300 miles southwest of Tokyo. Though it’s a bit out of the way for the average traveler (you’ll need to rent a car for the most convenient way to get around), the area is considered one of the most iconic places to participate in hanami in Japan.

The five-mile-long mountain ridge that encompasses Mount Yoshino is said to be covered by about 30,000 cherry trees—the oldest of which is thought to have been planted more than 1,300 years ago. In general, Mount Yoshino’s cherry blossom season typically begins in late March or early April and reaches full bloom in early to mid-April. But you should always check the most recent cherry blossom forecast before planning a visit.

Between the varying degrees of elevation and the types of cherry blossom trees, it’s one of the best places for hanami because you’re almost guaranteed to catch at least some of the trees in bloom. When cherry blossoms bloom tends to depend on temperature, and, come spring, it gets warmer at the base of the mountain before the top. The slope of Mount Yoshino is divided into four sections, each of which encompasses about 1,000 trees: there’s Shimo Senbon at the base of the mountain, Naka Senbon in the middle, Kami Senbon at the top of the mountain, and Oku Senbon at the “inner” part of the mountain.

But it’s not just the cherry blossoms that make Mount Yoshino so spectacular. The mountain is dotted with age-old shrines and temples, along with miles of hiking trails, and hanami parks. In the Shimo section, you can even view the flowering trees from the Yoshino Ropeway, an aerial tramway that transports travelers up the mountain while providing a bird’s eye view of the blossoming surroundings.

In the Naka section, you’ll find Kinpusenji Temple and Yoshimizu Shrine, while the Kami section of the mountain tends to be significantly quieter. It’s also home to the Hanayagura Observation Point, which is a one-hour hike from the upper ropeway station. The Oku section tends to bloom about a week behind the other parts of Mount Yoshino, and the Takagiyama Observation Deck (about 1.5 hours from the ropeway station on foot) is a popular place to take in the sights.

No matter when you choose to visit Mount Yoshino during cherry blossom season, you’re sure to encounter some dazzling sights. And even if you plan a trip during another time of year, the park’s trails and shrines make it worth the journey all on its own.