Getting to Mount Yoshino (Yoshinoyama, 吉野山) is a seamless and scenic journey, whether you are traveling from the neon lights of Osaka, the historic streets of Kyoto, or the tranquil parks of Nara. As a top-tier UNESCO World Heritage destination, this mountain is exceptionally well-connected by the Kintetsu Railway network, which brings you directly to Yoshino Station at the base of the peak. From there, the adventure truly begins as you transition from the train to the Yoshino Ropeway, Japan’s oldest aerial tramway, or board the seasonal shuttle buses that climb through the thousands of cherry trees. In this guide, we will break down the best rail passes, travel times, and transit tips to ensure your pilgrimage to Japan’s most famous sakura mountain is as stress-free as the mountain air itself.
How to Get to and Around Mt. Yoshino
To get to Mt. Yoshino by public transport, first hop onto a train on Kintetsu Yoshino Line (近鉄 吉野線) and get off at the last stop, Yoshino Station (吉野駅). From there, you can either hike up to Shimo-senbon or take the ropeway up.
If you decide to hike through Mt. Yoshino, it is better to allow 4 to 5 hours at Mt. Yoshino. This estimate for a return trip from Shimo-senbon to Oku-senbon includes breaks/lunchtime.
If you plan to take the ropeway + buses, allow yourself around 3 – 4 hours for a relaxing time at Mt. Yoshino.
Tips:
☛ During the cherry blossom season, if you want to drive, we highly recommend getting to Mt. Yoshino in the early morning. Traffic restrictions usually apply from 9 am to 5 pm.
☛ You can use one of Japan’s Transport Apps to plan your visit to Mt. Yoshino.
How to Get from Kyoto to Mount Yoshino
- From Kyoto Station (京都駅), take Kintetsu Kashihara Line (近鉄 橿原線), and get off at Kintetsu Kashihara Jingū-mae Station (橿原神宮前駅).
- From there, change for Kintetsu Yoshino Line (近鉄 吉野線), and get off at Yoshino Station (吉野駅).
If you plan to take the limited express (特急) throughout the whole journey, it will take around an hour and 50 minutes. If you take the express train (急行), allowing yourself 2 hours and 30 minutes is better.
The train fare difference between limited express and express trains from Kyoto to Mt. Yoshino is approximately 1,000 yen.
How to Get to Mount Yoshino from Osaka
If you take the Kintetsu train from Osaka-Abenobashi Station (大阪阿部野橋駅), there is no transfer required. We wouldn’t recommend taking the limited express train if you are coming from Osaka because it only takes 15 to 20 minutes extra compared to the limited express train. However, you have to pay around 500 yen more if you take the limited express.
Tip: Although you will need to pay a bit extra, consider taking the luxurious sightseeing train – Blue Symphony (青の交響曲) from Osaka-Abenobashi Station to Yoshino Station. For more information, please refer to Kintetsu’s website HERE. As the website is in Japanese, translate it with Google Chrome’s translation function on the right of the address bar.
Important: If you have a Kansai Rail Pass, it only covers up to Tsubosakayama (壺阪山). You will have to pay for the section from Tsubosakayama Station to Yoshino Station.
How to Get to Mount Yoshino from Nara
Although Mt. Yoshino is in Nara Prefecture, it doesn’t mean the travel time required is less if you come from Kintetsu Nara Station (奈良駅). The total travel time is around 2 hours.
- From Kintetsu Nara Station (奈良駅), take the train to get to Yamato-Saidaiji Station (大和西大寺駅) first.
- Then change trains to get to Kashihara Jingū-mae Station (橿原神宮前駅).
- Change trains again to get to Yoshino Station.
The Ropeway and Bus Services in Mt. Yoshino
Taking the ropeway from the Senbon-guchi Ropeway Station, less than 200 meters from Kintetsu Yoshino Station, is the most relaxing way to get to Shimo-senbon.
- Other than the cherry blossom season, the cable car has 4 services each hour, going up and down from 9:20 am to 5:20 pm from Friday to Monday.
- From late March to mid-April, the service is running on extended hours.
From Yoshinoyama Ropeway Station, you can take the connecting bus to the main attractions in Mt. Yoshino.
You can also skip the ropeway and get on the bus from Kintetsu’s Yoshinojingū Station (吉野神宮駅), which is just one station before Yoshino Station.
Tip: If you want to save some money and hike in Mt. Yoshino with less effort, take the bus and get off at Oku-senbonguchi (奥千本口) instead and hike your way down.
For the ropeway and the bus services’ timetable and fare table, please refer to the official website HERE, and change the language to English with Google Chrome’s transaction function on the right of the address bar.
Please refer to HERE for Mt. Yoshino’s map. It gives you a good indication of where to find cherry blossoms.
What to See in Mt. Yoshino
Now you know how to get to Mt. Yoshino from Osaka, Kyoto, or Nara, let’s fill out your itinerary on the day. As you can imagine, there are several attractions scatter across the mountain with an area of 330 thousand square meters. So, we have consolidated the attractions in the mountain into an article that can form a 3 to 5-hour strolling course.
Refer to our Mt. Yoshino article to plan your visit!
Discover Other Stunning Attractions in Yoshino District
Beyond the famous peaks of its namesake mountain, the Yoshino District unfolds as a vast, misty wilderness steeped in ancient folklore and rural charm. Whether you are crossing the suspension bridges of the deep valleys or soaking in a remote riverside onsen, the district offers a soul-stirring escape into the rugged, green heart of the Kii Peninsula.
For more information, please refer to our article on Yoshino District (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
