Yoshino: Petals Starting To Fall

The peak of the cherry blossom season has passed in many major cities like Tokyo in eastern Japan and Osaka in western Japan, and there are not many days left to see the sakura. The cherry blossom front line is moving towards the Tohoku Region, and those who have missed the main season in central Japan will have to head northeast to see the blossoms.

Today, I went to Yoshinoyama, a spiritual mountain known for its numerous wild yamazakura cherry trees. Unlike the mainstream Somei Yoshino cherry trees, the yamazakura cherry trees typically have leaves alongside the open blossoms. The mountain is broadly split into a few different areas, namely Okusenbon at the very top of the mountain, Kami Senbon near the top of the mountain, Naka Senbon in the middle and Shimo Senbon, which is the lowest section closest to the train station.

I visited Kami Senbon, Naka Senbon and Shimo Senbon. The cherry blossoms in the various sections of the mountain were at different stages of bloom. The blossoms at the very top were at their best, while the sakura petals in the middle and lower sections were starting to fall. The best viewing in the Naka and Shimo areas is predicted to be over in the next few days, while the best viewing in the Kami Senbon area should last a little longer.

From Yoshino Station, I made my way to the Kami Senbon area, the upper section of the mountain, first. The blossoms opened on March 27 and full bloom was reported on March 31. Today, I found the cherry blossoms in the Kami Senbon area to still be at full bloom, and expect the best viewing to continue for a few more days.

I made my way down towards Naka Senbon, the middle section of the mountain, where the opening of the first blossoms was reported on March 25 and full bloom was reached on March 30. I found that the petals of the yamazakura cherry trees have started falling. I do not expect the best viewing period in the Naka Senbon area to last beyond Friday.

Finally, I arrived in the Shimo Senbon area, where the opening of the first blossoms was reported on March 24 and full bloom was reached on March 29. Many of the cherry trees can be found along the winding Nanamagari walking path between the station and the start of the town. The petals of the cherry blossoms had started falling in the Shimo Senbon area, and I do not expect the best viewing period to last beyond Friday. From March 27 till April 16, the winding Nanamagari path is illuminated in the evenings from 18:00 to 22:00.